The inclusion of Damian Willemse is one of seven changes to the Western Province team ahead of their game against Griquas at Newlands on Saturday.
Willemse, Wilco Louw, Bongi Mbonambi and Sikhumbuzo Notshe were released by the Springboks for Currie Cup duty this week, and WP coach John Dobson has happily selected the quartet in his run-on XV.
Willemse replaces Dillyn Leyds at fullback, while tighthead prop Louw starts ahead of Michael Kumbirai. Mbonambi takes over from Scarra Ntubeni at hooker and Notshe is preferred at openside flank, with Kobus van Dyk shifting to blindside.
In other changes, scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies earns his first start of the season at the expense of Jano Vermaak, while wing JJ Engelbrecht has returned to fitness and comes in for SP Marais.
Meanwhile, Salmaan Moerat partners captain Chris van Zyl in the second row ahead of JD Schickerling.
Western Province – 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Dan Kriel, 11 JJ Engelbrecht, 10 Josh Stander, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Juarno Augustus, 7 Kobus van Dyk, 6 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 5 Chris van Zyl (c), 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ali Vermaak.
Subs: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Caylib Oosthuizen, 18 Michael Kumbirai, 19 Ernst van Rhyn, 20 Justin Phillips, 21 Dan du Plessis, Dillyn Leyds.
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
