Fit-again DHL Western Province star Robert du Preez will start at inside centre for his team’s third Vodacom Cup match of 2015 – against the EP Kings at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday night (kick-off 19h00).
DHL WP, with two wins from two games, currently top the South Section of the 2015 Vodacom Cup tournament, with the EP Kings in sixth position on the log with one win and one defeat in two starts.
“We know it’s one of our hardest games – given that they are preparing for Super Rugby and given that there are so many players who have played for this union who I am sure would like to get one over us,” said Province coach John Dobson.
“It’s tricky in the Vodacom Cup to play against some union’s first teams, like for instance with the Kings and Griquas, but we are up for it,” added the DHL Western Province Vodacom Cup coach.
“We’re a happy and settled team and we’re looking forward to Saturday’s challenge in Port Elizabeth.”
Selection-wise, Dobson has made eight changes – four of them minor positional tweaks – to the starting XV that performed so well against the Sharks XV at City Park a fortnight ago.
No.8 Rayn Smid and wing Tshotsho Mbovane drop down to the bench, with inside back Du Preez (back to full fitness after suffering an ankle injury during pre-season action), wings Mat Turner and Willy Ambaka and lock Jan de Klerk all starting this week.
The DHL WP coach explained to the www.wprugby.com website: “In five seasons I don’t think we have enjoyed this level of consistency of selection in a Vodacom Cup campaign.
“Yes, we have lost Pat Howard, our vice captain, to a Stormers call-up, but that is the only enforced change.
“We have a specific plan for this game and that sees Rayn Smid, who was outstanding against the Sharks, playing off the bench as part of our plan as to how we want to finish the game.
“It’s great to have Rob du Preez back so quickly, especially in light of Pat’s loss, so he slots in at No.12 and Kyle Lombard, who was also brilliant against the Sharks, moves out a place to No.13.
“We have been reluctant to rely on too many SA Under-20s, rather capping this at two a week, in order not to disrupt our preparations too much by having too many guys who are playing on the weekend not training with us.
“This week we are using just Jacques Vermeulen and Grant Hermanus, which means EW Viljoen drops out in favour of Mat Turner. Tshotsho Mbovane has had a virus, so Willy Ambaka slips back in (to start). It’s also great to have (centre/wing) Lihleli Xoli back for us (on the bench) after the Varsity Cup – he did well for us last year.”
The DHL Western Province team to face the EP Kings (away) is as follows:
15. Grant Hermanus
14. Willy Ambaka
13. Kyle Lombard
12. Robert du Preez
11. Mat Turner
10. Jean-Luc du Plessis
9. Godlen Masimla
8. Sikhumbuzo Notshe
7. Jurie van Vuuren
6. Jacques Vermeulen
5. Chris van Zyl
4. Jan de Klerk
3. Wilco Louw
2. Michael Willemse (captain)
1. Sti Sithole
Replacements:
16. Neil Rautenbach
17. Deacon Chowles
18. Luke van der Smit
19. Rayn Smid
20. SP Ferreira
21. Tshotsho Mbovane
22. Lihleli Xoli
Referee: Stephan Geldenhuys
Assistant referees: Sindile Ngcese, Local
