Burch to make Eagles Currie Cup debut

Former Western Province No 8 Jody Burch will make his debut for the South Western District Eagles in Friday’s Currie Cup  First Division rugby clash against the Pumas at Witbank.

Burch takes over from Sevens Springbok Schalk van der Merwe, who moves to No 7 flank in the place of Shawn Raubenheimer. Raubenheimer will start on the bench. SWD will also start with two new props.

Willa Schoeman and Jaco Terblanche this time make way for Wickus Harmse, who returns from injury, and Brood van der Westhuizen.

The entire backline stays the same from the that which performed so well against the Griffons at Outeniqua Park a fortnight ago.

According to Lerm, Wayne Bennett had an outstanding game against the Griffons and, therefore, deserves to be in the starting line-up.

The SWD team is:

Bevin Fortuin (capt), Norman Nelson, Izak Saayman, Joe Breytenbach, Bobby Joubert, Gaffie du Toit, Jandré Blom, Jody Burch, Schalk van der Merwe, Victor Joubert, Henry Grimes, Wikus Liebenberg, Wickus Harmse, Wayne Bennett, Brood van der Westhuizen.

Replacements: Junior Leota, Jaco Terblanche, Hein Potgieter, Shawn Raubenheimer, Ricardo Croy, Selithemba Zweni, Baldwin McBean.