Cup-tied lock Ruben van Heerden is one of three players set to make his DHL Western Province debut against Griquas in Cape Town on Saturday.
Unavailable for the Champions Cup playoff between the DHL Stormers and Harlequins, which kicks off earlier at Cape Town Stadium, Van Heerden will partner Connor Evans in the second row for WP in the Currie Cup.
Scrumhalf Imad Khan and wing Tom Nel are also in line to make their first appearance in rugby’s oldest competition, while there is also an all-new front row of hooker Andre-Hugo Venter and props Kwenzo Blose and Lee-Marvin Mazibuko.
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Khan has featured for Province through the age-groups and comes into a backline which also has Jean-Luc du Plessis at inside centre and Edward Coulson at fullback. Nel has played for WP U20 this season and replaces the injured Duncan Saal on the wing.
WP have been disrupted by injuries, yet head coach John Dobson said the Capetonians would like to make the most of their first chance to play at home in 2023.
“We have had three tough away games and come away with two wins, so everyone is looking forward to playing at Cape Town Stadium this weekend,” he said
“Our depth is being tested, particularly in the backline, but we know that every player out there will give his all for the jersey and hopefully we can play some of the rugby that this team is known for.”
WP – 15 Edward Coulson, 14 Tom Nel, 13 Juan de Jongh (c), 12 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 11 Fazeel Robertson, 10 Kade Wolhuter, 9 Imad Khan, 8 Keke Morabe, 7 Junior Pokomela, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Connor Evans, 3 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 2 Andre-Hugo Venter, 1 Kwenzo Blose.
Subs: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Leon Lyons, 19 Dylan de Leeuw, 20 Louwan Horn, 21 Labib Kennemeyer, 22 Bruce Sherwood, 23 Jacques Rousseau.
‼️ TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT
Not available due to injury:
Rosko Specman – Muscle Strain
Andrew Beerwinkel – Knee Injury obtained whilst on loan to Boland#WhereLegendsRise #WindhoekDraughtGriquas pic.twitter.com/vO6tJYyAAu— Griquas Rugby (@GriquasRugby) March 30, 2023
Picks: @mark_keohane and Zels have no doubts that the Stormers will bury Harlequins in the Champions Cup. pic.twitter.com/jmM5qx7Ghq
— SA Rugby magazine (@SARugbymag) March 30, 2023
Photo: Twitter/@THESTORMERS