DHL WPDHL Western Province coach Allister Coetzee has recalled all his big guns for Saturday’s 2014 Absa Currie Cup semifinal against the Vodacom Blue Bulls at DHL Newlands (kick-off 17:00 SA Time).

Flanker Rynhardt Elstadt is the only starting survivor from last week’s experimental line-up that took on a full-strength Sharks team at DHL Newlands.

Amongst the players recalled by coach Coetzee this week are skipper and centre Juan de Jongh (the team’s leading try-scorer this season), vice-captain and tighthead prop Pat Cilliers, the fit-again pairing of fullback Cheslin Kolbe and lock Jean Kleyn and SA Sevens speedster Seabelo Senatla.

Flyhalf Demetri Catrakilis will play his 50th match for DHL WP this weekend, with Nic Groom partnering him at halfback.

Scrumhalf Louis Schreuder and flyhalf Kurt Coleman, both of whom also reached the 50-game mark this season for DHL WP, revert to the bench this week, where they will be joined by Oli Kebble, Brok Harris, Sikhumbuzo Notshe and young gun EW Viljoen.

“We’ve selected the best possible team to represent DHL Western Province in Saturday’s semifinal,” Coetzee said.

“It’s fantastic to welcome back the likes of Kolbe and Kleyn from injury and to have Seabelo back from Sevens duty but, as with last week, I have faith in every player that goes out there to represent DHL WP.

“I had my starting XV pretty much thought out earlier this week, but we had some tough calls to make on the bench.”

One of the “tough calls” made by Coetzee was opting to select two props this week, whilst the Province boss also revealed that centre Jaco Taute was not considered for selection because of his ongoing rib injury.

Said Coetzee: “Oli’s ball-carrying could be a factor in the second half on Saturday and not many teams are able to call upon a Brok Harris (with over 200 first-class appearances for WP Rugby) off the bench.

“We are happy that we have ticked all the boxes in terms of selection and are looking forward to Saturday’s encounter against a very confident and much-improved Bulls team.

“Forget any previous results or encounters. Play-offs are a different beast altogether and we won’t be looking back, but rather looking ahead and focusing on our own processes and implementation thereof.”

Saturday’s semifinal at DHL Newlands will get underway at 17:00, with the DHL WP Under 21 team hosting the Free State Under 21’s in their Absa Provincial Under 21 semifinal beforehand at 14:30.

Match tickets are also still available for the weekend’s two big clashes – starting at JUST R 90.00 for standing places and ranging from R 150.00 to R 250.00 for seating spots. These tickets can be purchased from http://wprugby.ticketpros.co.za, or directly from the DHL Newlands Box Office (Tuesday to Friday – 09:00-16:00 and Saturday – 09:00-17:30).

All 2014 DHL Newlands season tickets ARE VALID for Saturday.

 

DHL Western Province: 15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Juan de Jongh (Captain), 12 Michael van der Spuy, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Demetri Catrakilis (50th cap for WP), 9 Nic Groom, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Michael Rhodes, 6 Rynhardt Elstadt, 5 Manuel Carizza, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Pat Cilliers (Vice-captain), 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Alistair Vermaak
Replacements: 16 Neil Rautenbach, 17 Oli Kebble, 18 Brok Harris, 19 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 20 Louis Schreuder, 21 Kurt Coleman, 22 EW Viljoen

 

Referee: Lesego ‘Pro’ Legoete
Assistant Referees: Marius Jonker, Linston Manuels
TMO: Deon van Blommestein

8 Responses to Currie Cup: Western Province side for Blue Bulls clash at Newlands

  • 1

    Money would be better spent by taking wagers on the Aviva Premiership matches,
    No Pro Legotas or Shawn Valdsmans there 😉

  • 2

    @ Hondo:
    What is you point? That it will be a fair game?

    Because if Pro favored WP then its easy money.

    If pro favors the BB there will be great odds,

    All you are doing is huffing and puffing for no reason.

  • 3

    lol Macro, well said

    Back to the game, WP has lots of hitting power in the back, if they can hold of the Bulls forwards onslaught they can take this
    but Pollard at 12 a the “new” Bjorn is not going to make it easy for them

  • 4

    Flippin Marius Jonker…. again…. Pondering
    Hope the plonker doesn’t get limelight fever….. again.

  • 5

    With Elstadt there, Pollard should have plenty of opportunities to rack up those three pointers.

  • 6

    @ Gena_ZA:
    “…..WP has lots of hitting power in the back…”
    Sure, IF they have good ball. And that is where the Bulls will attempt to deny them, methinks.

  • 7

    With Pro on the whistle, the best bet for Superbru may be to go for a 0-0 draw.

    You have more chance of winning the lottery than picking a winning team when Pro is involved.

    Expect at least 3 yellow cards.

    Pro the hanging judge is on the whistle.

  • 8

    @ Hondo:

    It’s not like you have any cash to spend anyway.

    You’ve finished your pocket money for the month.

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