Veteran prop Steven Kitshoff has been included in the DHL Western Province lineup to tackle the Lions in round 7 of the 2024 Currie Cup at Ellis Park on Saturday.
Kitshoff, who rejoined the DHL Stormers and WP from Irish giants Ulster this season, replaces Vernon Matongo at loosehead as one of nine changes to the starting XV for the Johannesburg clash.
The two-time Springbok World Cup winner has not played since taking part in what turned out to be his final game in Ulster colours in the Challenge Cup quarter-finals in May.
Kitshoff has been sidelined by a knee injury, which ruled him out of the July internationals against Ireland and Portugal.
He and Junior Springbok skipper and tighthead Zachary Porthen will pack down in the front row for WP either side of Scarra Nutbeni, who will also lead the team.
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Troubled by back spasms in last week’s defeat to the Cheetahs, regular captain Willie Engelbrecht misses out entirely. Teenager Divan Fuller shifts to No 8 in a new-look loose trio with Louw Nel and CJ Velleman.
Lock Hendre Stassen shifts to No 5 in place of the injured Gary Porter, and will partner with Andre Goedhals.
In the backline, Wandisile Simelane returns at outside centre and will link up with Damian Markis in midfield. Justin Geduld has been ruled out due to a fractured cheekbone.
Veteran scrumhalf Dewaldt Duvenage retains the No 9 jersey after slotting in as a late replacement against the Cheetahs, and will be backed up off the bench by debutant Ezekiel Ngubane. Bok hooker Andre-Hugo Venter is also named among the replacements.
Director of rugby John Dobson said that the addition of two Bok front-row forwards is a big boost for the trip to the Highveld.
“Steven and Andre-Hugo are top players who will add a lot, while the return of players such as Louw Nel, CJ Velleman and Wandisile Simelane also strengthens our team,” he said.
“It will be a big challenge up in Johannesburg and we are sure to see further growth from the players in this group, which is very exciting.”
WP – 15 Luke Burger, 14 JC Mars, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Damian Markus, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Jurie Matthee, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Divan Fuller, 7 Louw Nel, 6 CJ Velleman, 5 Hendre Stassen, 4 Andre Goedhals, 3 Zachary Porthen, 2 Scarra Ntubeni (c), 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Subs: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Vernon Matongo, 18 Corne Weilbach, 19 Enos Ndiao, 20 Paul de Villiers, 21 Sibusiso Sangweni, 22 Ezekiel Ngubane, 23 Joshua Boulle.
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
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Src: sarugbymag.co.za
