Province make one change in Currie Cup for Bulls

Western Province have made one change to their starting side for their Currie
Cup match against the Blue Bulls at Newlands on Friday.

Province coach John Dobson has resisted making too many changes to the team
that did duty in Durban last weekend, as Western Province prepare to host the
in-form Blue Bulls.

The only change to the starting line-up sees Bongi Mbonambi start at hooker,
with Scarra Ntubeni moving down to the replacements’ bench where he will be
joined by fit-again No.8 Nizaam Carr, who replaces Jurie van Vuuren.

Carr, who took over the captaincy earlier this season from injured squad leader
Juan de Jongh, missed the Sharks game with a hamstring injury and will, wisely,
be blooded back via the bench this week.

Scrumhalf Nic Groom will again lead WP into battle, as he did last week, with
young Robert du Preez making his second successive start in the No.10 jersey
after his impressive display last week as a late replacement for Kurt Coleman.

“We’re fortunate to have Nizaam coming off the bench, from a leadership
point of view, after Nic led the team well last week, ” said Dobson.

“Kurt is obviously still out, but Robert did nicely last week and it’s
a great opportunity for him to start his first Currie Cup match at
Newlands.

“Bongi, meanwhile, is deserved of a start against his old team – in a
rotational switch – and we’re looking to Scarra to provide a similar impact
(to Bongi’s) off the bench this week. “

Said Dobson: “We’re looking forward to this weekend, as we have a bit
of momentum after the last time when we ran into a red-hot Bulls team.

“We’ve been asked about revenge and putting one over the Bulls, after
last time, but it’s not about that. For us, rather, it’s about building on what
we’ve achieved over the past two weeks and continuing on the path that we’ve
followed in terms of our team’s evolution. “

Western Province

15. Cheslin Kolbe , 14. Dillyn Leyds , 13. Johnny Kotze , 12. Huw Jones , 11. Seabelo Senatla , 10. Robert du Preez , 9. Nic Groom (captain) , 8. Sikhumbuzo Notshe , 7. Rynhardt Elstadt , 6. Chris Cloete , 5. Ruan Botha , 4. Jean Kleyn , 3. Wilco Louw , 2. Bongi Mbonambi , 1. Steven Kitshoff

Replacements: 16. Scarra Ntubeni , 17. Oli Kebble , 18. Chris van Zyl , 19. Nizaam Carr , 20. Jano Vermaak , 21. Demetri Catrakilis , 22. Kobus van Wyk