Leyds at 15 for Western Province

Editor

Dillyn Leyds has been named at full-back for Western Province’s meeting with the Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

Dillyn Leyds has been named at full-back for Western Province’s Currie Cup showdown with the Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

Allister Coetzee has made five changes to his XV this week – from the starting line-up that beat the Pumas in Nelspruit – with four of them enforced.

Leyds replaces Cheslin Kolbe (back injury) in the number fifteen jersey, Pat Howard comes in for SA Sevens winger Justin Geduld (on national Sevens duty) and Manuel Carizza and Rynhardt Elstadt form a new-look lock duo in the absence of Ruan Botha (ankle) and Jean Kleyn (AC Joint).

Powerhouse Elstadt will make his first start of the 2014 Currie Cup season, having sat out for the past three weeks because of suspension, and his return is a major boost in the absence of Kleyn and Botha.

The only unforced changed to the WP team this week sees Nic Groom take over at number nine from Louis Schreuder, with the latter reverting to the bench after three successive starts.

Joining Schreuder on the bench this week are prop Oli Kebble and lock/flank Jurie van Vuuren (on Currie Cup debut), whilst utility back Michael van der Spuy (hip pointer) has been passed fit after taking a knock against the Pumas.

“Five changes is a bit more than we wanted to make, but, unfortunately, injuries have forced our hand this week,” coach Coetzee told www.wprugby.com.

“That said, we’re very fortunate to be able to call upon someone like Dillyn Leyds, who offers an attacking threat from the back.

“Pat Howard, Manuel Carizza and Rynhardt Elstadt are also hungry as they return to the starting team and we’re also fortunate to be able to be able to call on them after featuring – either as starters or replacements – at some point this year.”

Western Province: 15 Dillyn Leyds, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Juan de Jongh (capt), 12 Jaco Taute, 11 Pat Howard, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Michael Rhodes, 6 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 5 Manuel Carizza, 4 Rynhardt Elstadt, 3 Pat Cilliers, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Alistair Vermaak.
Replacements: 16 Neil Rautenbach, 17 Brok Harris, 18 Oli Kebble, 19 Jurie van Vuuren, 20 Louis Schreuder, 21 Kurt Coleman, 22 Michael van der Spuy.

Date: Saturday, October 4
Kick-off: 14:00 local (13:00 BST, 12:00 GMT)
Venue: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Referee: Marius Jonker
Assistant referees: Lourens van der Merwe, Rodney Bonaparte
Television match official: Johan Greeff