Two backline changes for DHL WP

Apr 28 • General News • 2057 Views • Comments Off on Two backline changes for DHL WP

There are two backline changes to the DHL Western Province team to face the Border Bulldogs at City Park on Saturday.

Following their 30-18 opening win against the EP Kings in Port Elizabeth last week, DHL Western Province will be on home turf at City Park, where there will be two regional club matches played as curtain-raisers beforehand on Saturday.

Justin Phillips gets an opportunity to start with Godlen Masimla on the replacements bench in a rotational switch between the two Vodacom Super Rugby scrum-half, whilst the other change to the starting line-up sees Michal Hazner at outside center and Harlon Klaasen providing midfield cover.

The forward pack is unchanged from the combination that started against the EP Kings, but the fit-again duo of prop Frans van Wyk and loose forward Eital Bredenkamp feature on the replacements bench.

DHL Western Province coach John Dobson said that his team will look to build on their opening win against the EP Kings when they face a competitive Border side on Saturday.

“We know that we can improve in a number of areas, so it is nice to have some continuity in selection as we try to achieve that.
“We were pleased how we ground out the win in some intense conditions in front of a big crowd in Port Elizabeth last week, but we will be looking to improve our ball retention and get through more phases against a physical Border side, who ran us so close at DHL Newlands last year.

“Border was impressive against Boland last week and will provide a good test for us, so hopefully we can produce some good rugby in front of our home supporters at City Park,” he said.

In preparation for the 2017 Amateur Provincial Championship (South) tournament in Cape Town in August, the WPRFU will hold two trial matches as curtain-raisers for the SuperSport Rugby Challenge clash.

Each of the four regional leagues, (Paarl, Northern, City and Southern regions) within the WP Rugby Club Rugby competitions will be represented, as the regional teams of the City League take on the Southern League team at 13h15, whilst the Paarl League take on the Northern league team at 14h35 before the Supersport Rugby Challenge match, which will kick-off at 16h00.

This is an opportunity for Club Rugby players to compete for a spot in one of the two teams that will represent the Union at the tournament in August, which should deliver some high-quality rugby for the crowd at City Park.

Entrance to the ground is R10 per person and R10 per parking, with tickets available at the gate. Children under the age of 12 may enter free of charge and DHL Newlands season tickets are valid.

DHL Western Province: 15 Grant Hermanus, 14 Valentino Wellman, 13 Michal Haznar, 12 Scott van Breda, 11 Khanyo Ngcukana, 10 Brandon Thomson, 9 Justin Phillips, 8 Jaco Coetzee, 7 Johan du Toit, 6 Luke Stringer, 5 Eduard Zandberg, 4 Jurie van Vuuren, 3 Michael Kumburai, 2 Chad Solomon (captain), 1 Caylib Oosthuizen.
Replacements: 16 Dean Muir, 17 Neil Oelofse, 18 Frans van Wyk, 19 Nyasha Tarusenga, 20 Eital Bredenkamp, 21 Godlen Masimla 22 Harlon Klaasen.