Overview
- Head coach JP Pietersen named six changes and a positional switch, returning Jaco Williams to wing, restoring Hakeem Kunene at fullback, selecting Jean Smith at flyhalf, and recalling Phikolomzi “PK” Sobahle on the right wing.
- Up front, Liam van Wyk starts at hooker, Le Roux Coetzee returns at lock, and Tino Mavesere comes in at openside flank.
- Pascal Ekeji is out with concussion, while Matt Romao, Vusi Moyo and Christie Grobbelaar are unavailable after URC training call-ups under John Plumtree.
- Pietersen challenged his young side to deliver an 80-minute effort and pointed to experienced reinforcements on the bench in Bradley Davids, Jannes Potgieter and Corne Rahl.
- Western Province receive a lift with Paul de Villiers released from Stormers pre-season and Kyle Smith back at flyhalf under captain Gary Porter, with kick-off on Friday at 19:10 in Durban under referee Robbie Jenkinson.