DHL WP debut for Van der Merwe
Junior Springbok wing Edwill van der Merwe will make his debut for DHL Western Province in the Currie Cup Qualifier against Boland which kicks off at 15h00 in Piketberg on Saturday.
Van der Merwe has recently returned from the World Rugby Under-20 Championship in Manchester, where he scored three tries for the Junior Boks to be named in the World Rugby U20 Championship Dream Team.
The speedster will start on the left wing in one of three changes to the starting XV that did duty in the victory against the South Western Districts Eagles at City Park last week.
The other changes see Grant Hermanus return from a bout of Bronchitis to take his place at fullback, whilst in the forward pack flank Jacques Vermeulen returns from a long-term knee injury.
DHL Western Province coach John Dobson said that he is expecting a tough examination in Piketberg against a Boland team which is currently just two log points behind his team in the standings.
“There is no doubt Boland will be very motivated for this game as they can go past us on the standings if they win, so we are expecting a tense atmosphere in Piketberg.
“For us it is vital to focus on our own game and maintaining the winning momentum we have built up,” he said.
Dobson added that he is looking forward to seeing what sort of impact the three incoming players make in what is otherwise a settled unit as his team look for their 11th win of the season.
“Edwill, Grant and Jacques are all talented young players who have a bright future, and should make a difference for us in what is a vital game in this campaign.
“I am proud of the way this team has performed, to have won 10 from 11 games, given our Currie Cup qualification was guaranteed, and with all the disruptions.
“We have always played like that there is something on the game and with pride, as should always be the case when you wear the blue and white hoops, and this Saturday won’t be any different,” he added.
DHL Western Province: 15 Grant Hermanus, 14 EW Viljoen, 13 Johnny Kotze, 12 Tim Whitehead, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Godlen Masimla, 8 Kobus van Dyk, 7 Jacques Vermeulen, 6 Luke Stringer, 5 Chris van Zyl (captain), 4 David Ribbans, 3 Kyle Whyte, 2 Chad Solomon, 1 Wesley Chetty.
Replacements: 16 Cullen Collopy, 17 Ashley Wells, 18 Jurie van Vuuren, 19 Beyers de Villiers, 20 Eital Bredenkamp, 21 Jano Vermaak, 22 Dennis Cox.
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