Western Province call on URC stars to avert winless Currie Cup campaign

Western Province selected a full-on United Rugby Championship (URC) team for their final Currie Cup clash against the Boland Cavaliers on Saturday in Cape Town.

Only fullback Luke Burger and tighthead prop Zachary Porthen kept their places in the starting team from last weekend, with a host of senior players getting game time ahead of the URC kick-off later this month.

Wingers Seabelo Senatla and Leolin Zas will get an opportunity to stretch their legs against the speedsters of Boland at the DHL Stadium (2.45pm kick-off). Ruhan Nel and Jonathan Roach will pair as centres in what could be a strong combination for the Cape side, looking at the URC. Jean-Luc du Plessis takes the place of Jurie Matthee at flyhalf, with Stefan Ungerer the scrumhalf.

Up front, it will be a massive contest for the Cavaliers.

They must contend with locks Ruben van Heerden and JD Schickerling in the lineouts, while the loose trio of Evan Roos and flankers Deon Fourie and Marcell Theunissen brings a wealth of Springbok experience, danger at the breakdown and raw power. Fourie will captain the side in his 100th match.

Porthen, a former Junior Bok captain, has been impressive and earned his stay in the side. He will look to make his mark even further to remain in contention for the URC. He packs down in the front row alongside hooker JJ Kotze and loosehead Vernon Matongo. Three other junior front rowers, Lukhanyo Vokozela, Oliver Reid and Cabous Eloff made the replacement bench.

“We are quite comfortable with the changes we are making,” Labeeb Levy, WP coach, said.

“It will be a first hitout for many of the players playing, and we are excited for the game. The guys know we are facing a very good Boland side, and they are battle-hardened with a lot to play for. They are coming here fully loaded and guns blazing.

“We must punch first. They are coming for a fight, and we must take the fire out of them. The team prepared for what they would bring.”

Levy said they’ve chatted with the players missing out on the final game long before the season started, and everyone is on the same page regarding the changes. While Province is in desperate need of a victory to avoid going winless through the campaign, the selection will give the URC players some much-needed time on the field ahead of the first match against Leinster.

The coach added that veteran hooker Scarra Ntubeni picked up a hamstring injury and he will be out for a couple of months. However, he is looking to return later in the season to give it another crack before he calls time on his long Stormers and WP career.

Western Province: 15 Luke Burger, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Jonathan Roche, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Marcel Theunissen, 6 Deon Fourie (captain), 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 JD Schickerling, 3 Zachary Porthen, 2 JJ Kotze, 1 Vernon Matongo. Replacements: 16 Lukhanyo Vokozela, 17 Oliver Reid, 18 Cabous Eloff, 19 Adre Smith, 20 Connor Evans, 21 Dewaldt Duvenage, 22 Jurie Matthee, 23 Wandisile Simelane.