CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - MAY 16: Kyle Smith of WP U21 during the SA Rugby U21 Cup match between DHL Western Province and Fidelity ADT Lions at DHL Stadium on May 16, 2025 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images)
Fresh from a championship-winning campaign with the Junior Springboks, flyhalf Kyle Smith has been entrusted to lead the WP attack against the Blue Bulls.
WP look to Junior Bok to steer attack
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – MAY 16: Kyle Smith of WP U21 during the SA Rugby U21 Cup match between DHL Western Province and Fidelity ADT Lions at DHL Stadium on May 16, 2025 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images)
Smith, who largely had to play second fiddle to Vusi Moyo during the World Rugby Under 20 Championship, starts for Province in Saturday’s Currie Cup opener against the old rivals in Cape Town. He gets his opportunity to impress coach Labeeb Levy due to the unavailability of Jurie Mathee because of a concussion.
Smith forms a halfback combination with Asad Moos.
Captain Zain Davids is one of seven Western Province debutants on display for the north-south derby, as well as Davids’ Blitzboks teammate and fullback Shilton van Wyk, wing Quewin Nortje, Moos, No 8 De Wet Marais, lock Alex Groves and tighthead prop Cabous Eloff.
Levy is full of confidence that young players like Smith and Moos will step up to Currie Cup level.
“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 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.
