Taute returns for Province in Currie Cup final

Western Province coach Allister Coetzee has named his team to play the Golden Lions in their Currie Cup final at Newlands with Jaco Taute returning to the starting line up.

In the only change to the starting XV that beat the Blue Bulls by 31-23 last weekend, fit-again centre Jaco Taute returns in the No.12 jersey to resume his partnership with skipper Juan de Jongh, who will be playing in his 50th match in the Blue and White hoops of Western Province.

Michael van der Spuy reverts to the bench for Saturday’s final, where is joined by lock Gerbrandt Grobler, who comes into the matchday squad at the expense of prop Oli Kebble, who came from the bench last weekend.

No.8 Nizaam Carr, who left the field in the first half last week, has been passed fit for the final, with coach Coetzee praising the consistency in selection during the business-end of the 2014 Currie Cup.

“We’ve had some tough calls to make, especially last week, but we are fortunate to have not made many changes these past two weeks,” said the WP boss, who will be guiding his team into a third successive final this weekend.

“Jaco is fit and takes his place at inside centre again and we’re fortunate to have a guy like Michael van der Spuy backing him up, with Jaco providing additional back-up given his versatility across the backline.”

WP and the Lions will lock horns for the third time this Currie Cup season, with both teams winning once up until now, but, according to Coetzee, the hosts are looking forward to Saturday’s Finals Day which will see the WP Under-19, Under-21 and Senior teams involved in all three finals on offer.

“It’s a challenge that we’re embracing and that we’re excited about. You can’t ask for more than running out at a packed Newlands.

This side has matured well this season and we’re really looking forward to Saturday,” said Coetzee.

“The Lions have been a very consistent team this year – in terms of their selection and performances and we’re expecting a ferocious onslaught from them. They play a similar brand to us, so we should be in for a great final.”

Western Province

15. Cheslin Kolbe , 14. Kobus van Wyk , 13. Juan de Jongh (c) , 12. Jaco Taute , 11. Seabelo Senatla , 10. Demetri Catrakilis , 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. Brok Harris , 18. Gerbrandt Grobler , 19. Sikhumbuzo Notshe , 20. Louis Schreuder , 21. Kurt Coleman , 22. Michael van der Spuy