Steven Kitshoff and Manie Libbok are back with the Springboks ahead of Saturday’s Test in Cape Town, as DHL Western Province make changes to face Griquas on Friday.
Libbok made his WP debut on Sunday against the Pumas in the penultimate round of the 2024 Currie Cup at the Danie Craven Stadium. Fellow Bok world champion Kitshoff also got a run in preparation for the 2024-25 Vodacom URC campaign.
Flyhalf Libbok last featured in the green and gold jumper in the historic July victory against Portugal in Bloemfontein, while Kitshoff has not played a Test this year as the veteran loosehead prop continues his comeback from a knee injury.
The Boks face New Zealand at Cape Town Stadium in a rematch of the thrilling clash between the teams in Johannesburg last week, and speaking in a WP conference on Tuesday, assistant coach Dawie Snyman confirmed the call-ups of Kitshoff and Libbok to the national team camp.
“They are back in camp with the Springboks and busy training with them at the moment,” he told reporters. “We haven’t heard anything from their [Boks] side but if someone gets released and needs some game time from the Springboks point of view, we’ll allow them to play for us.”
Out of the playoffs race in this year’s edition of rugby’s oldest competition, WP travel to Kimberley in the final round of the regular season.
The likes of DHL Stormers powerhouses Joseph Dweba, Ruben van Heerden and new recruit Dave Ewers featured off the bench in Stellenbosch last week.
Suleiman Hartzenberg joined Snyman on press duty, and the speedster is in line to make his first appearance of the domestic campaign in the City of Diamonds with off-season signing JD Schickerling.
“We are still using this opportunity to prepare for the URC so there will be a few changes from the previous game,” Snyman said.
“We’ve no new injuries and most of the changes will be guys in pre-season and about to get their first game, so that’s thinking behind that.
“[Schickerling] is available… he’s been training hard and is looking good, he’s fitted in nicely to the squad. One or two new combinations we’re going to be testing so it will be good to see how they go.”
PLUS: WP strategy paid off – Dobson
One place behind the sixth-placed WP on the standings, Griquas have been somewhat of a bogey team for the Capetonians over the past few years, especially at Griqua Park.
Snyman acknowledged the threat of the Northern Cape outfit while reiterating director of rugby John Dobson’s plan to rotate the WP lineup this week.
“This will probably define their Currie Cup season,” he said. “They’ve got nothing to lose, it’s a dead-rubber game but we’re obviously taking a few of our top players to play against them.
“They’ll be highly motivated, not just for them as a union but as individuals to show that they can maybe play at a higher level.
“It’s a great challenge and they’ve had a good record against us, so we’re expecting a tough game and we need a tough game.”
Photo: Khulani Media
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