DHL Western Province head to Faure Street in Paarl for clash with Border Bulldogs
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The DHL Western Province team will host the Border Bulldogs in Vodacom Cup action at Faure Street in Paarl on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 16h00).
It is a much-changed WP line-up that will do duty against the Men from East London, with coach John Dobson naming a new-look tight five after injuries and call-ups to the DHL Stormers side.
Only prop Brok Harris and hooker Stephan Coetzee remain in the engine-room from the unit that started against the EP Kings two weeks ago – a game which DHL WP won 43-18 – with Dobson making a total of seven changes.
“Obviously losing the three locks from our last game in Ruan Botha (out for four months with an ankle injury) and Gerbrandt Grobler and Mikey Rhodes (to the Stormers) is a massive hole to plug,” said Dobson.
“Gerbrandt has largely been the engine of our pack and our line-out caller and is a charismatic, influential team member so they are big boots to fill. But we are absolutely thrilled for him to get his chance with the DHL Stormers.
“It’s great that we have the opportunity to give some locks from the amateur ranks. In particular, it’s great to welcome Methetheleli ‘Taz’ Fuzani who is a local boy and has been a star at UWC in the Varsity Shield. He was a WP U21 triallist last year as a too-tall 132kg prop. Now, he’s a 116kg No.4-lock – he’s someone we’re excited about.
“It is credit to WP’s depth that we can lose backs like Gary van Aswegen and Timmy Swiel… yet we can still field an exciting backline like we have,” added the WP coach. “I am also pleased to welcome back the ‘Road-Runner’, Devon Williams. Also, we’re looking forward to welcoming back Ederies Arendse – after he gets a club game under his belt after his long injury lay-off.”
DHL WP are in third place on the log in the South Section of the Vodacom Cup, with three league matches remaining after this weekend’s clash against the Bulldogs.
“For us this game is a non-negotiable if we want our home play-off spot,” admitted Dobson. “It will be challenging with the new locks, in getting them into our line-out and contesting systems, but there is enough talent and determination in this team to get us the five points (we have to get).”
Away from the training ground, the DHL WP Vodacom Cup squad had an interesting team-bonding session on Wednesday.
Dobson and his charges headed off to Paarl to visit the Drakenstein Prison and the coach revealed: “Yesterday’s visit to Drakenstein Prison (formerly Victor Verster) was extremely powerful. The players really enjoyed it and it helped bring the team even closer together and provided the players with several significant life-lessons.
“We coached the prison teams after our session and then toured the correctional facility and interacted with many prisoners who told us their stories. We also got an impromptu pop concert from the prison band. We then had a brilliant and insightful tour of Nelson Mandela’s house and the whole story behind it.
“The team learnt a lot about our country and the power of reconciliation, which was appropriate given this week in WP Rugby. We are very grateful for this humbling experience.”
* A curtain-raiser – before the WP-Border game in Paarl on Saturday – will take place between Young Gardens and Paarl Rangers at 13h30.
Entrance for kids and scholars is free. Adults will be charged R10 and parking will cost an additional R5 for those DHL WP supporters coming to Faure Street.
The DHL Western Province Vodacom Cup team to take on Border is as follows:
15. Cheslin Kolbe
14. Pat Howard
13. Berton Klaasen
12. Marcel Brache (captain)
11. Devon Williams
10. Kurt Coleman
9. Godlen Masimla
8. Rayn Smid
7. Cobus Nel
6. Chris Cloete
5. Mike Poppemeier
4. Taz Fuzani
3. Brok Harris
2. Stephan Coetzee
1. Francois van Wyk
Reserves:
16. Jody Reyneke
17. Chris Heiberg
18. James Kilroe
19. Sikhumbuzo Notshe
20. Bolla Conradie
21. Michael van der Spuy
22. Kobus van Wyk
Referee: Juan Sylvestre (Argentina)
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