WP coach Allister Coetzee has made five changes to his team to face the Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
Coetzee's hand has been forced by the withdrawal of Cheslin Kolbe, Ruan Botha and Jean Kleyn through injury, as well as the loss of Justin Geduld to the Blitzboks.
Dillyn Leyds will make his Province debut in the No 15 jersey vacated by Cheslin Kolbe. Pat Howard comes in for Justin Geduld on the left wing, while Manuel Carizza and Rynhardt Elstadt will pack down in a new-look second row. Elstadt will make his first start of the season after missing the last three weeks through suspension
In the final change to the starting XV, Nic Groom replaces Louis Schreuder at scrumhalf, with the latter dropping to the bench.
'Five changes is a bit more than we wanted to make, but, unfortunately, injuries have forced our hand this week,' said Coetzee. 'That said, we’re very fortunate to be able to call upon someone like Dillyn Leyds, who offers an attacking threat from the back.
'Pat Howard, Manuel Carizza and Rynhardt Elstadt are also hungry as they return to the starting team and we’re also fortunate to be able to call on them after featuring – either as starters or replacements – this year.'
Western Province – 15 Dillyn Leyds, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Juan de Jongh (c), 12 Jaco Taute, 11 Pat Howard, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Michael Rhodes, 6 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 5 Manuel Carizza, 4 Rynhardt Elstadt, 3 Pat Cilliers, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Alistair Vermaak.
Subs: 16 Neil Rautenbach, 17 Brok Harris, 18 Oliver Kebble, 19 Jurie van Vuuren, 20 Louis Schreuder, 21 Kurt Coleman, 22 Michael van der Spuy.
Photo: Chris Rocco/BackpagePix
