Loose forward Zain Davids will captain DHL Western Province in their Carling Currie Cup opener against the Vodacom Bulls at DHL Stadium on Saturday.
The Springbok Sevens dynamo and former DHL Western Province age-group star takes charge for the North-South showdown, which kicks off at 17h10 on Saturday.
Davids is one of seven players in the starting line-up making their debut for DHL Western Province, along with his Springbok Sevens teammate and fullback Shilton van Wyk, wing Quewin Nortje, scrumhalf Asad Moos, No.8 De Wet Marais, lock Alex Groves and tighthead prop Cabous Eloff.
Van Wyk and Nortje are joined by Springbok Courtnall Skosan in a potent back three, with Luke Burger and Damian Markus in midfield.
Moos will partner Kyle Smith at halfback, while Davids will have Marais and Louw Nel beside him in the loose trio.
Groves links up with Gary Porter in the second row while up front Eloff is joined by the experienced duo of Scarra Ntubeni and Sti Sithole.
Talented young front row forwards Lukhanyo Vokozela and Mhleli Khuzwayo will make an impact off the replacements bench along with prop Arno Gustafson, lock Carlo van Greunen and loose forward Erhard Lambrecht, who are all products of the local club system.
Tristan Leyds, Sako Makata and Ezekiel Ngobeni provide the backline cover and will inject considerable pace and skill in the second half.
Head Coach Labeeb Levy said that after putting in the hard work on the training pitch, his side is ready to give their all in front of their fans.
“We have got a very exciting mix of players for this opening game, and that is before we have eight world champion Junior Springboks join the fray next week.
“The North-South clash in Cape Town is always a special occasion and we are all looking forward to the challenge. This team will fight hard for every minute they are out there in the blue and white hoops,” he said.
DHL Western Province: 15 Shilton van Wyk, 14 Courtnall Skosan, 13 Luke Burger, 12 Damian Markus, 11 Quewin Nortje, 10 Kyle Smith, 9 Asad Moos, 8 De Wet Marais, 7 Louw Nel, 6 Zain Davids (captain), 5 Gary Porter, 4 Alex Groves, 3 Cabous Eloff, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Sti Sithole.
Replacements: 16 Lukhanyo Vokozela, 17 Mhleli Khuzwayo, 18 Arno Gustafson, 19 Carlo van Greunen, 20 Erhard Lambrecht, 21 Ezekiel Ngobeni, 22 Sako Makata, 23 Tristan Leyds.
