Western Province have made four changes — three enforced through injury — to their starting line-up for Saturday’s Currie Cup match against the Sharks in Durban.
Egon Seconds and Gus Theron will be on the wings as Zhahier Ryland and Tonderai Chavhanga have been forced on to the sidelines with respective hamstring and quadriceps injuries.
Scrumhalf Bolla Conradie is also out with a calf injury, which means Neil de Kock comes straight back into the line-up after himself being forced to sit out last week’s 47-13 win over Boland.
The other change is on the flank, where Justin Melck gets an opportunity to start in place of Hendrik Gerber.
Coach Kobus van der Merwe said it is a case of ”win at all costs” for his side this weekend.
”The message is clear — we can secure a home semifinal and put a lot of pressure on Free State by the time they kick off at 5pm. We don’t want to leave it until the last week,” he said.
”There is a lot more pressure on the Sharks than there is on us. It’s a home game for them and their last chance. They’ll throw everything at us.”
Province trounced the Sharks 47-19 in the last meeting between the sides and afterwards complained about cheap shots by the Durbanites. Van der Merwe, however, expressed full confidence that the referee will not allow a repeat.
”Tappe [Henning] is handling the game. He has never taken nonsense,” he said.
Province have drafted Springbok reserve hooker Hanyani Shimange back into their match squad after he was left out for the Boland game on disciplinary grounds.
Shimange will get game time off the bench, as will former Sharks flank Luke Watson, who is also back in favour.
Van der Merwe said they had seriously considered starting with Shimange.
”We were in a catch-22. We have some options in the front row, but with all the injuries we didn’t want to reshuffle.
”Shimmy will get game time. He’s hungry to prove himself against [Springbok captain] John [Smit].” — Sapa
Western Province team
Earl Rose, Egon Seconds, De Wet Barry, Jean de Villiers, Gus Theron, Peter Grant, Neil de Kock, Adri Badenhorst, Justin Melck, Schalk Burger (captain), Gerrie Britz, Ross Skeate, Pat Barnard, Federico Mendez, Eddie Andrews.
Substitutes: Hanyani Shimange, JD Moller, Rob Linde, Luke Watson, Paul Delport, Gaffie du Toit, Corne Uys.