DHL Western Province team to take on the Bulls

Aug 20 • General News • 1559 Views • Comments Off on DHL Western Province team to take on the Bulls

DHL Western Province backline ace Johnny Kotze has been entrusted with the No.13 jersey for Saturday’s Absa Currie Cup clash against the Vodacom Blue Bulls at Loftus Versfeld (kick-off 19h10).

Kotze, 22, replaces the injured Juan de Jongh at outside centre in the only starting change from last weekend’s hard-fought 9-3 win over the Free State Cheetahs in Cape Town.

Kotze made eight Vodacom Super Rugby starts for the DHL Stormers earlier this season (on the wing), but this will be his first Absa Currie Cup start – having made his tournament debut off the bench two weeks ago against Griquas.

DHL Western Province coach John Dobson told the wprugby.com website: “It was always our intention to get Johnny into the No.13 jersey at some point, but, of course, it has now been necessitated by Juan’s injury.

“We certainly are very excited about this opportunity for Johnny – he is a skilful and level-headed player and I have no doubt he will flourish at this level.”

There are also three changes on the Province bench this week, with Springbok squad member Scarra Ntubeni replacing Marius Fourie as the hooker replacement, Chris van Zyl replacing fellow lock Jan de Klerk and Huw Jones coming in for Kobus van Wyk as specialist centre cover.

Jones will be on Absa Currie Cup debut for DHL Western Province, despite making 14 appearances for the DHL Stormers this year.

Dobson added: “With Juan out we need cover at inside centre and Huw gives us a great option off the bench in that position.

“It was a tough call leaving Kobus out, but we have picked a team we believe can do the job for us at Loftus Versfeld in what should be a fast-paced encounter.”

DHL WP (third place on the log), the Lions (second) and the Bulls (first place) are the only remaining unbeaten teams after two rounds of 2015 Absa Currie Cup action and Dobson is expecting a hard-fought North-South Derby in the ‘Bullring’.

“This won’t be a typical North-South Derby in that the Bulls are evolving as a team under their new coaching staff,” he said.

“We’re certainly looking forward to the challenge of playing in Pretoria – a full Loftus Versfeld in a North-South Derby is one of the most beautiful sights in South African rugby, plus a dry, fast pitch will lead to a more open game… unlike last week’s tough one in the wet.”

The DHL Western Province team for Saturday (v Blue Bulls, away) is as follows:

15. Cheslin Kolbe
14. Dillyn Leyds
13. Johnny Kotze (Absa Currie Cup starting debut for DHL WP)
12. Jaco Taute
11. Seabelo Senatla
10. Demetri Catrakilis
9. Nic Groom (vice-captain)
8. Nizaam Carr (captain)
7. Sikhumbuzo Notshe
6. Rynhardt Elstadt
5. Ruan Botha
4. Jean Kleyn
3. Wilco Louw
2. Bongi Mbonambi
1. Oli Kebble

Replacements:
16. Scarra Ntubeni
17. Alistair Vermaak
18. Chris van Zyl
19. Chris Cloete
20. Jano Vermaak
21. Kurt Coleman
22. Huw Jones (On Absa Currie Cup debut for DHL WP)

Referee: Craig Joubert
Assistant referees: Jaco Pretorius, Ricus van der Hoven
TMO: Vos Willie