Loose forward Hacjivah Dayimani is set to make his debut for Western Province in their Currie Cup opener against the Blue Bulls on Saturday.
A day after confirmation of Dayimani’s departure from the Lions, the versatile loose forward has been named on WP’s bench for their clash at Loftus Versfeld.
Dayimani is on loan with a possible view to making a permanent move to Cape Town.
Meanwhile, lock Ernst van Rhyn has been confirmed as WP captain for the duration the Currie Cup campaign, starting in the clash tomorrow.
Hooker JJ Kotze, flank Niel Otto and No 8 Evan Roos will all make their WP debut, having been named in the starting lineup, while lock Justin Basson is also set to make his first WP appearance from the replacements bench.
Sergeal Petersen is at fullback and will link up with Seabelo Senatla and Sihle Njezula in an exciting back three. Dan du Plessis and Rikus Pretorius are in midfield, with Abner van Reenen and Paul de Wet making up the halfback pairing.
Roos and Otto are joined by Johan du Toit in the loose trio, with David Meihuizen partners with Van Rhyn in the second row. In the front row Kotze will have experienced props Ali Vermaak and Neethling Fouche on either side of him.
WP coach John Dobson said that his team is focused on making a convincing start to their Currie Cup campaign.
“It is always a challenge playing up at Loftus and we know that we will have to be at our best to start with a win.
“We have got some really exciting players and combinations in the team and we are looking forward to seeing what they can produce on Saturday,” he said.
Western Province – 15 Sergeal Petersen, 14 Sihle Njezula, 13 Rikus Pretorius, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Abner van Reenen, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Johan du Toit, 6 Niel Otto, 5 David Meihuizen, 4 Ernst van Rhyn (c), 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 JJ Kotze, 1 Ali Vermaak.
Subs: 16 Sazi Sandi, 17 Leon Lyons, 18 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 19 Justin Basson, 20 Hacjivah Dayimani, 21 Godlen Masimla, 22 Tim Swiel, 23 Cornel Smit, 24 Jason Alexander, 25 De Wet Marais, 26 Chris Schreuder.
Photo: Gallo Images
