Captain Zain Davids is one of seven Western Province debutants for their Currie Cup opener against the Vodacom Bulls in Cape Town on Saturday.
Captain Zain Davids is one of seven Western Province debutants for their Currie Cup opener against the Vodacom Bulls in Cape Town on Saturday.
The Springbok Sevens and former WP age-group star takes charge for the north-south showdown, which kicks off at 5.10pm.
The other debutants are Davids’ Blitzboks teammate and fullback Shilton van Wyk, wing Quewin Nortje, scrumhalf Asad Moos, No 8 De Wet Marais, lock Alex Groves and tighthead prop Cabous Eloff.
Van Wyk and Nortje are joined by Springbok Courtnall Skosan in a potent back three, with Luke Burger and Damian Markus in midfield.
Moos will partner Kyle Smith at halfback, while Davids will have Marais and Louw Nel beside him in the loose trio.
Groves links up with Gary Porter in the second row while up front Eloff is joined by the experienced duo of Scarra Ntubeni and Sti Sithole.
Talented young front-row forwards Lukhanyo Vokozela and Mhleli Khuzwayo will make an impact off the bench along with prop Arno Gustafson, lock Carlo van Greunen and loose forward Erhard Lambrecht, who are all products of the local club system.
Tristan Leyds, Sako Makata and Ezekiel Ngobeni provide the backline cover.
We have got a very exciting mix of players for this opening game, and that is before we have eight world champion Junior Springboks join the fray next week,” said head coach Labeeb Levy.
“The north-south clash in Cape Town is always a special occasion and we are all looking forward to the challenge. This team will fight hard for every minute they are out there in the blue and white hoops.”
Western Province – 15 Shilton van Wyk, 14 Courtnall Skosan, 13 Luke Burger, 12 Damian Markus, 11 Quewin Nortje, 10 Kyle Smith, 9 Asad Moos, 8 De Wet Marais, 7 Louw Nel, 6 Zain Davids (c), 5 Gary Porter, 4 Alex Groves, 3 Cabous Eloff, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Sti Sithole.
Bench: 16 Lukhanyo Vokozela, 17 Mhleli Khuzwayo, 18 Arno Gustafson, 19 Carlo van Greunen, 20 Erhard Lambrecht, 21 Ezekiel Ngobeni, 22 Sako Makata, 23 Tristan Leyds.
