Two Junior Springboks have been included in the Western Province starting XV for Saturday’s Currie Cup match against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.
Two Junior Springboks have been included in the Western Province starting XV for Saturday’s Currie Cup match against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.
World Rugby U20 Championship-winning captain Riley Norton will make his senior debut at blindside flank while Gino Cupido partners Damian Markus in midfield as WP search for their first win of the campaign.
In other changes, Joel Leotlela is on the left wing and will link up with sevens stars Shilton van Wyk and Tristan Leyds in a speedy back three.
Gideon van Wyk replaces the injured Zain Davids at openside flank with Gary Porter taking over the captaincy.
Hooker Luca Bakkes and loose forward Enos Ndiao come onto the bench.
We have got some incredibly talented players coming in this week and they are surrounded by a settled core who are ready to raise the standards in every area,” said WP coach Labeeb Levy.
“Travelling to Bloemfontein is always a big challenge, but it is one we are embracing. We will need to be on our game from the first to the last whistle to get the result we need.”
Norton will make his senior debut at blindside flank, with Gideon van Wyk on the other side of the scrum in place of the injured Zain Davids.
Gary Porter takes over the captaincy from Davids and features in an unchanged tight five, while hooker Luca Bakkes and loose forward Enos Ndiao come onto the replacements bench.
Head coach Labeeb Levy said that his team id focused on producing an 80-minute performance in Bloemfontein.
“We have got some incredibly talented players coming in this week and they are surrounded by a settled core who are ready to raise the standards in every area.
“Travelling to Bloemfontein is always a big challenge but it is once we are embracing. We will need to be on our game from the first to the last whistle to get the result we need,” he said.
WESTERN PROVINCE – 15 Tristan Leyds, 14 Shilton van Wyk, 13 Gino Cupido, 12 Damian Markus, 11 Joel Leotlela, 10 Jurie Matthee, 9 Asad Moos, 8 Louw Nel, 7 Riley Norton, 6 Gideon van Wyk, 5 Gary Porter (c), 4 Alex Groves, 3 Zachary Porthen, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Mhleli Khuzwayo.
Bench: 16 Luca Bakkes, 17 Oliver Reid, 18 Herman Lubbe, 19 Adam de Waal, 20 Enos Ndiao, 21 Ezekiel Ngobeni, 22 Luke Burger, 23 Jared Africa.
