Loose forward Louw Nel takes over the captaincy for Western Province’s Currie Cup encounter with the Pumas at Cape Town Stadium.
After four consecutive away games, WP will play their second home match of the season at 7.20pm on Saturday. They are bottom of the log after five defeats.
Nel has started every game this season, showing an excellent work rate on both attack and defence throughout. He will lead the team in the absence of Gary Porter, who has been ruled out with a shoulder injury.
Nel is joined in the loose trio by Connor Evans and Paul de Villiers, while Riley Norton shifts to the second row in place of Porter. The experienced Deon Fourie, who lifted the trophy in 2012 as captain, will feature from the bench.
The only change to the front row sees Mhleli Khuzwayo come back into the starting line-up.
In the backline, Luke Burger moves to fullback in place of the injured Tristan Leyds, with Joel Leotlela taking his place on the wing.
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“We have been reinforced by a few experienced players, although we have also been hit with some injuries so we are aiming to put together an 80-minute performance and make the most of every moment out there,” said WP coach Labeeb Levy.
WESTERN PROVINCE – 15 Luke Burger, 14 Joel Leotlela, 13 Gino Cupido, 12 Damian Markus, 11 Jared Africa, 10 Kyle Smith, 9 Ezekiel Ngobeni, 8 Louw Nel (c), 7 Connor Evans, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Riley Norton, 4 Alex Groves, 3 Zachary Porthen, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Mhleli Khuzwayo.
Bench: 16 Lukhanyo Vokozela, 17 Oliver Reid, 18 Herman Lubbe, 19 Deon Fourie, 20 De Wet Marais, 21 Asad Moos, 22 Ronald Brown, 23 Brendan Venter.
PUMAS – 15 Stefan Coetzee, 14 Lundi Msenge, 13 Sango Xamlashe, 12 Wian van Niekerk, 11 Darren Adonis, 10 Clinton Swart, 9 Ross Braude, 8 Willie Engelbrecht (c), 7 Ruwald van der Merwe, 6 Ntsika Fisanti, 5 Tiaan de Klerk, 4 JJ Scheepers, 3 Sampie Swiegers, 2 Eduan Swart, 1 Etienne Janeke.
Bench: 16 Darnelle Osuagwu, 17 Dewald Maritz, 18 Junior Banda, 19 Hanno Theunissen, 20 Andre Fouche, 21 Russwill Fredericks, 22 Danrich Visagie, 23 Tiaan Pretorius.
Photo: Johan Pretorius/Gallo Images
The post Nel leads winless WP into Pumas battle appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Loose forward Low Nel takes over the captaincy for Western Province’s Currie Cup encounter with the Pumas at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.
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