DHL Stormers squad members Stephan Coetzee, Tazz Fuzani and Sikhumbuzo Notshe are all back in the DHL Western Province team for Saturday’s Vodacom Cup clash against the Free State XV at City Park.
Coetzee, Fuzani and Notshe all spent some time with the DHL Stormers in Australasia last month and were also part of the matchday squad that featured against the Waratahs last weekend.
This week, however, hooker Coetzee will start in the DHL WP front row jersey, with Fuzani and Notshe lining up at lock and flank, respectively.
Province will have a new flyhalf this week, for the first time this season, with Gary van Aswegen out with an injury. Kurt Coleman will start at No.10, along with a new-look centre combination – both on debut – in the shape of Varsity Cup stars Robert du Preez (Maties) and Huw Jones (UCT).
DHL Western Province coach John Dobson told www.wprugby.com: “We have an injury or two more than we would like.
“Losing Gary, Kyle Lombard and Johnny Kotze is a blow but to be able to welcome back Notshe and Tazz is fantastic. They are awesome players and individuals who understand how we play and our culture.
“The selection of Robert du Preez is also an exciting one. He really is a great acquisition for WP Rugby and we look forward to exposing him fully to the Province culture this week. Robert, like many top quality No.10s before – players like Dan Carter and Johnny Wilkinson spring to mind immediately here – will start his senior career at inside centre, but he will definitely get game time at flyhalf on Saturday.
“Gary is a loss, like I said, but we’re so fortunate to call upon Kurt in the No.10 shirt and, of course, the selection of Huw Jones, the best centre in the Varsity Cup, is very exciting for us too – despite losing both Kyle Lombard and Johnny Kotze (this week).
“Huw Jones is not the only fresh face from the Varsity Cup this week – after Jan de Klerk, Lungelo Chonco and Jean Nel joined us last week,” added Dobson.
“As we all know, Robert du Preez ended the Varsity Cup season as the Player of the Tournament, whilst UCT’s hardman, Shaun McDonald, the 2014 Forward of the Tournament, also trained with us this week.”
Looking ahead to Saturday, which sees DHL Western Province return to their home away from home – City Park in Crawford – Dobson concluded: “It’s a very important game for us – it will decide if we get a home play-off or not.
“The Free State XV have produced excellent results this season and have also only lost one game – (also) to the Sharks XV. They’re an all-round side and are enjoying their best Vodacom Cup season in many years and we know they will never stop playing, but, then again, neither will we!
“We have some nice plans and hope that those who feel like seeing some attractive rugby between two sides who really like to play come along to City Park on Saturday.”
* Entry on Saturday at City Park is R20 for adults and R10 for kids. Season ticket holders can gain free entry on presentation of a valid season ticket. City Park is based on the corner of Thornton and Lawson Roads in Crawford – easily accessible from the M5 and N2 freeways.
The DHL Western Province team for Saturday (v Free State XV) is as follows:
15. Tiger Bax
14. JP Lewis
13. Huw Jones
12. Robert du Preez
11. Devon Williams
10. Kurt Coleman
9. Jean Nel
8. Carel du Preez
7. Sikhumbuzo Notshe
6. Rohan Kitshoff (captain)
5. Jan de Klerk
4. Tazz Fuzani
3. Entienne Swanepoel
2. Stephan Coetzee
1. Alistair Vermaak
Replacements:
16. Michael Willemse
17. Deacon Chowles
18. Jan Uys
19. Eital Bredenkamp
20. Freddie Muller
21. Janco Gunter
22. Chevandre van Schoor
Referee: Ben Crouse
CLICK HERE for the 2014 Vodacom Cup standings after Round Five!