The DHL Western Province Amateur side has been named for Saturday’s Amateurs ‘final’ against the Golden Lions at Coca-Cola Park (kick-off 16h30).

Both WP (the Southern Amateurs champions) and the Lions (the Northern Amateurs winners) have already played, and won, against Griquas (the Central champions) – making Saturday an effective winners-takes-all finale to determine the 2012 National Amateur champions.

Lionel Langenhoven, the WP Amateur coach, said: “We’re expecting a tough game – especially as the Lions will be playing on their home ground.

“It’s a big honour for us to be playing in a curtain-raiser to the Absa Currie Cup semifinal between our senior team and the Lions’ senior side and we’d love nothing more than setting the tone for the DHL WP team ahead of their game.

“We’ve spoken about it this week,” continued Langenhoven, “and I’ve told the guys that life’s all about challenges – we need to arrive and be up for the match!”

The WP coach has a lot of faith in his side, adding: “I have 100% confidence in my team. Where possible I’ve tried to reward those guys who have been there from the start, those who played in the trials and the tournament in Oudtshoorn in August.

“We’ve got a good blend in our squad – in terms of young and old and the clubs the players come from – but, most importantly, they’re all fine individuals and it’s been a pleasure coaching them this year.”

WP won the Southern Amateurs Week in Oudtshoorn in August, having won all three their matches (against SWD B, Border and SWD A) with an average scoreline of 66-14.

The majority of the side that performed so well in Oudtshoorn will be in action at Coca-Cola Park, the likes of centres Albert Trytsman and Danwill Erasmus, scrumhalf Freddie Muller, No.8 Alconray Botha (pictured, above), lock JP Kellerman and prop Denzil Riddles – to name just a few – worth keeping an eye on.

The new faces in the line-up this week, from the side that beat Griquas 57-17 earlier this month, are fullback Jano van Zyl and flanker Kuselo Moyake, with Umraan Jadwat coming onto the bench as forward cover and Oswin Mentoor (flank) and Vivian Fredericks (fullback) dropping to the bench from the starting XV.

The DHL Western Province Amateur team to take on the Lions is as follows:

15. Jano van Zyl
14. Elmo Thomas
13. Albert Trytsman
12. Danwill Erasmus
11. Berthan Erasmus
10. Maxwell Stoffels
9. Frederick Muller
8. Alconray Botha
7. Waldo Prinsloo
6. Kuselo Moyake
5. Juan-Paul Kellerman
4. Shaun McDonald
3. Christo van Wyk
2. Shameegh Allen
1. Denzil Riddles

RESERVES:
16. Charlton van Jaarsveld
17. JP Geldenhuys
18. Umraan Jadwat
19. Oswin Mentoor
20. Armien Bailey
21. Vivian Fredericks
22. Ruan Mostert

Referee: Stefan Geldenhuys