Ntubeni and Kitsoff back for WP

Editor

Springbok training squad members Scarra Ntubeni and Steven Kitshoff will both start in the front-row for Western Province against Griquas at Newlands on Saturday.

Ntubeni replaces Bongi Mbonambi at hooker, whilst Kitshoff comes in for Ali Vermaak at loosehead prop, with coach John Dobson making a total of five personnel changes to the starting line-up that went down 28-21 to the Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein last Friday.

The other changes to the WP starting XV see Nic Groom and Kurt Coleman team up at half-back, whilst livewire flanker Chris Cloete will start in the number six jersey with Rynhardt Elstadt filling in for the injured Sikhumbuzo Notshe (shoulder) in the number seven shirt.

On the bench, meanwhile, Chris van Zyl is over his knee injury to slot in as the lock replacement, fit-again Jurie van Vuuren will provide loose forward cover and inside back Robert du Preez is set for his first taste of Currie Cup action this season.

Western Province: 15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Johnny Kotze, 12 Jaco Taute, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Kurt Coleman, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Nizaam Carr (c), 7 Rynhardt Elstadt, 6 Chris Cloete, 5 Ruan Botha, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 JP Smith, 18 Chris van Zyl, 19 Jurie van Vuuren, 20 Godlen Masimla, 21 Robert du Preez, 22 Dillyn Leyds.

Date: Saturday, September 5
Kick-off: 17:05 local (15:05 GMT)
Venue: Newlands Stadium, Cape Town
Referee: Jaco van Heerden
Assistant referees: Rodney Boneparte, Archie Sehlako
Television match official: Johan Greeff