Double Currie Cup debut at DHL Newlands

Jul 12 • Currie Cup, General News, National, South Africa • 1552 Views • Comments Off on Double Currie Cup debut at DHL Newlands

DHL Western Province flyhalf Jean-Luc du Plessisand wing Ed will van der Merwe will both play their first Currie Cup game in the North-South derby against the Vodacom Blue Bulls at DHL Newlands on Saturday.

The backline duo have bothre presented DHL Western Province in the SuperSport Rugby Challenge, but will get their first taste of Currie Cup action in the big season-opener, which kicks off at 17h15 on Saturday.

Du Plessis will form ahalf back partnership with Justin Phillips, with Dan Kriel and Ruhan Nel in midfield alongside him.

Van der Merwe is on the right wing and will be joined in the back three by Seabelo Senatla and fullback SP Marais.

Loosehead prop Corne Fourie will make his DHL Western Province debut in an experienced front row which also features hooker Scarra Ntubeni and tight head Wilco Louw, with Chad Solomon, Kwenzo Blose and Carlu Sadie among the replacements.

Captain Chris van Zyl is joined in the second row by Salmaan Moerat, with JD Schickerling set to make his return from injury from the replacements bench.

No.8 Juarno Augustus is also back from injury and is joined in the loose trio by flanks Jaco Coetzee and Ernst van Rhyn.

DHL Western Province Head Coach John Dobson said that given the single-round format of the Currie Cup, it is vital that his team make a strong start this weekend.

“We start the Currie Cup with a North-South derby at DHL Newlands, so it is obviously something that everyone is looking forward to.

“We have had a good pre-season and the focus is on making sure we can deliver from the word go this season,” he said.

Anyone who buys four Category One tickets together to watch DHL Western Province play in a Currie Cup league game at DHL Newlands this season will pay just R250 in a Fantastic Four special offer.

Tickets are affordably priced and range from R40 for standing to R100. In addition there are more ticket options beyond the standard season ticket and match day ticket. The DHL Newlands Faithful will be able to ‘Upgrade to Business Class’. The halfway line Business Class seats have been refurbished on the halfway line in Block H on the Railway Stand and holders of these tickets will also have exclusive access to the Railway Coach bars both before, during and after the match. These prime seats will cost R200 each.

DHL Western Province:

15 SP Marais, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Dan Kriel, 11Seabelo Senatla, 10 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 9 Justin Phillips, 8 Juarno Augustus,7 Ernst van Rhyn, 6 Jaco Coetzee, 5 Chris van Zyl (captain), 4 Salmaan Moerat,3 Wilco Louw, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Corne Fourie.

Replacements: 16 Chad Solomon,17 Kwenzo Blose, 18 Carlu Sadie, 19 JD Schickerling, 20 Chris Massyn, 21 GodlenMasimla, 22 Josh Stander, 23 Craig Barry.