Jaco Taute will start at No 12 when Western Province tackle the Blue Bulls at Loftus Versfeld this Saturday.

Taute has played much of his domestic and Super Rugby career at fullback. However, Taute has played at centre for the Springboks, and WP feel he could add value in that position this weekend.

'This is a great opportunity for Jaco,' said WP coach Allister Coetzee. 'I’ve said before that his size and skill set could make him into the ideal centre and he now has an opportunity to show us just that.

'Jaco is still very young [23] but he’s already very experienced having played Test and Super Rugby at centre before. But his skill and strength aside, his communication is his biggest attribute and I look forward to seeing him operate in the No 12 jersey.'

Taute replaces Michael van der Spuy at No 12. Van der Spuy is battling a hamstring injury, and has been dropped from the squad altogether.

Pat Howard will take Taute's place on the bench.

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 Siya Kolisi, 5 Manuel Carizza, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Pat Cilliers, 2 Stephan Coetzee, 1 Alistair Vermaak.
Subs: 16 Neil Rautenbach, 17 Brok Harris, 18 Ruan Botha, 19 Rynhardt Elstadt, 20 Louis Schreuder, 21 Kurt Coleman, 22 Pat Howard.

Photo: Carl Fourie/Gallo Images