WP's Kolbe passes late fitness test

Cape Town - The Western Province team, for Friday night’s Currie Cup meeting with the Golden Lions in Johannesburg, have been confirmed with Cheslin Kolbe lining up in the No 15 jersey.

Kolbe has overcome some bone bruising on his ankle to take his place in the team, with Dillyn Leyds (groin niggle) not being risked this week.

The hard-running Kobus van Wyk will thus continue in the No 14 shirt, where he played against the Pumas last weekend.

“There was no point in risking Dillyn with a guy like Kobus (van Wyk) 100% fit (and able) to take his place on the right-wing,” coach John Dobson told the WP Rugby website.

“With the playoffs just around the corner we don’t see the need to rush players back, as is the case with Dillyn and also Rynhard Elstadt and Jano Vermaak.

“That said, we feel we have selected the best possible starting team, along with a powerful bench, to do the job for us tonight in what is going to be a tough match against the unbeaten Lions on their home turf.”

Friday’s clash at Ellis Park is scheduled for 18:00.

Teams:

Golden Lions:

15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Courtnall Skosan, 13 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 12 Howard Mnisi, 11 Anthony Volmink, 10 Marnitz Boshoff, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Stephan de Witt, 6 Jaco Kriel (captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Lourens Erasmus, 3 Julian Redelinghuys, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Dylan Smith.

Substitutes: 16 Mark Pretorius, 17 Ruan Dreyer, 18 Fabian Booysen, 19 Albertus Smith, 20 Jaco van der Walt, 21 Stokkies Hanekom, 22 Sampie Mastriet

Western Province:

15.Cheslin Kolbe, 14. Kobus van Wyk, 13. Johnny Kotze, 12. Juan de Jongh (captain), 11. Seabelo Senatla, 10. Robert du Preez, 9. Nic Groom, 8. Nizaam Carr, 7. Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 6. Chris Cloete, 5. Ruan Botha, 4. Jean Kleyn, 3. Wilco Louw, 2. Bongi Mbonambi, 1. Steven Kitshoff

Substitutes: 16. Michael Willemse, 17. Oli Kebble, 18. Chris van Zyl, 19. Jurie van Vuuren, 20. Godlen Masimla, 21. Kurt Coleman, 22. Huw Jones