DHL WP welcome back returning stars

May 18 • General News • 1257 Views • Comments Off on DHL WP welcome back returning stars

The experienced duo of Juan de Jongh and Rynhardt Elstadt will both make their return from injury for DHL Western Province in their SuperSport Rugby Challenge encounter with the SWD Eagles at DHL Newlands on Friday.

Coach John Dobson’s team will be looking for their fourth consecutive win of the competition in the curtain-raiser to the Vodacom Super Rugby clash between the DHL Stormers and the Blues, with the match kicking off at 16h15.

Tygerberg RFC flyhalf Errol Jaggers, who has come through Jerome Paarwater’s talent identification programme, will make his debut for DHL Western Province at pivot in place of Brandon Thomson who has been called up to the DHL Stormers.

The only other changes to the backline see De Jongh come in at outside centre and Khanyo Ngcukana return from injury on the wing.

Elstadt will start at blindside flank whilst in the second row JD Schickerling will link up with Eduard Zandberg.

In the front row, Chad Solomon is back at hooker with props Caylib Oosthuizen and Michael Kumbirai alongside him and Dean Muir and Frans van Wyk providing cover on the replacements bench.

Dobson said that his team is looking forward to what will be their first competitive match of the season at DHL Newlands.

“It is always special to play at DHL Newlands and all the players are very excited about the opportunity.

“It is obviously great to be boosted by some top players returning from injury, but we will be focused on building on what we have achieved already this season.

“We know that SWD will be highly motivated to perform at DHL Newlands, so we will have to be sharp from the word go,” he said.

Dobson was especially pleased for Jaggers, who has worked hard to earn this opportunity.

“Errol is an attacking player who worked extremely hard in the pre-season, so it is great to see him come through and get his chance,” he added.

DHL Western Province: 15 Grant Hermanus, 14 Craig Barry, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Scott van Breda, 11 Khanyo Ngcukana, 10 Errol Jaggers (DHL WP debut), 9 Godlen Masimla, 8 Luke Stringer, 7 Rynhardt Elstadt, 6 Eital Bredenkamp (captain), 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Eduard Zandberg, 3 Michael Kumbirai, 2 Chad Solomon, 1 Caylib Oosthuizen.
Replacements: 16 Dean Muir, 17 Frans van Wyk, 18 Jurie van Vuuren, 19 Conway Pretorius, 20 Justin Phillips, 21 Ernst Stapelberg, 22 Michal Hazner.