Junior Springbok loose forward Divan Fuller will make his senior DHL Western Province debut against the Vodacom Bulls in Pretoria on Saturday.
Fuller, who featured prominently for the Junior Boks in the 2024 World U20 Championship in Cape Town, starts at blindside flanker in the round 4 Currie Cup clash at Loftus Versfeld.
He replaces Louw Nel in one of three changes to the pack for the north-south derby rematch, with Springbok prop Lizo Gqoboka and tighthead Sazi Sandi set to line up either side of hooker JJ Kotze.
In the backline, Bok speedster Courtnall Skosan will run out at right wing in place of Jared Africa, who drops out of the matchday 23 after debuting in a 10-try mauling of the Griffons last week.
The dynamic Wandisile Simelane also returns in a new-look midfield partnership with rookie sensation Jonathan Roche.
WATCH: Roche’s sensational WP debut
Veteran campaigner Scarra Ntubeni is set to make an impact off the bench with Ali Vermaak, Corne Weilbach, Andre Goedhals, CJ Velleman, Labib Kannemeyer, Damian Markus and Luke Burger.
WP scored four tries and secured two bonus points in a narrow defeat against the Bulls in their 2024 Currie Cup opener at Cape Town Stadium.
Director of rugby John Dobson said that the players coming in are all expected to make a big difference.
“In Lizo, Sazi, Wandile and Courtnall we have a few experienced heads coming back, which will be vital at Loftus, while we also expect Divan to bring plenty of energy and work rate,” he said.
“This match will be a test of our development so far this season and a great chance for the players selected to get some important gametime against what will be a strong team.”
Western Province – 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Courtnall Skosan, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Jonathan Roche, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Jurie Matthee, 9 Imad Khan, 8 Willie Engelbrecht (c), 7 Divan Fuller, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Gary Porter, 4 Hendre Stassen, 3 Sazi Sandi, 2 JJ Kotze, 1 Lizo Gqoboka.
Replacements: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Corne Weilbach, 19 Andre Goedhals, 20 CJ Velleman, 21 Labib Kannemeyer, 22 Damian Markus, 23 Luke Burger.
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
