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New-look front row for DHL WP

PUBLISHED: August 2, 2024


There is an all-new front row among the changes to the DHL Western Province team for the Carling Currie Cup encounter with Novavit Griffons at DHL Stadium on Saturday.

DHL Western Province will be looking to do the double over the visitors from Welkom this season, when action gets underway at 17h15 on Saturday. CLICK HERE to buy tickets now.

Gates at DHL Stadium will open at 13h00, with DHL WP Women in action in their semifinal against the Boland Dames at 14h00.

Props Veronn Matongo and Corne Weilbach come into the starting team and will line up either side of experienced hooker Scarra Ntubeni, while Andre Goedhals starts in the second row with Hendre Stassen ruled out with an injury niggle

There are several changes to the backline, with Clayton Blommetjies at flyhalf and Damian Markus getting his first start of the campaign alongside him at inside centre.

The talented JC Mars will make his senior DHL Western Province debut on the wing, with Luke Burger back at fullback.

There are also potential debuts for tighthead prop and Junior Springbok captain Zachary Porthen, lock Enos Ndiao and young flyhalf Kyle Smit, who are included on a replacements bench that also features experienced Springbok Sevens campaigner Justin Geduld.

Director of Rugby John Dobson said that this will be another great opportunity for the players coming in to impress at DHL Stadium.

“It is fantastic to see some seriously talented young players like the four on debut get a run at DHL Stadium and we have also managed to retain a core of experience to help them make the step up.

“It will be another big test for us and we want to shine at home after three weeks on the road, so it all adds up to what should be a great day of rugby at DHL Stadium, with DHL WP Women in action in the curtain-raiser as well,” he said.

DHL Western Province: 15 Luke Burger, 14 JC Mars, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Damian Markus, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Clayton Blommetjies, 9 Imad Khan, 8 Willie Engelbrecht (captain), 7 Divan Fuller, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Gary Porter, 4 Andre Goedhals, 3 Corne Weilbach, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Vernon Matongo.
Replacements: 16 JJ Kotze, 17 Mhleli Khuzwayo, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 Enos Ndiao, 20 CJ Velleman, 21 Labib Kannemeyer, 22 Kyle Smith, 23 Justin Geduld.