Share

Dillyn Leyds at fullback for WP

Cape Town - Dillyn Leyds has been named at fullback for Western Province's Currie Cup meeting with the Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday (kick-off 14:00).

WP coach Allister Coetzee has made five changes to his starting line-up this week - from the starting XV that defeated the Pumas in Nelspruit last Friday - with four of them enforced.

Leyds, who re-joined WP after a stint at the Western Force in Australia, replaces Cheslin Kolbe (back injury) in the No 15 jersey, Pat Howard comes in for SA Sevens wing Justin Geduld (on national Sevens duty), while Manuel Carizza and Rynhardt Elstadt form a new-look lock duo in the absence of the injured 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 the No 9 jersey 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), while 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," Coetzee told the WP Rugby website.

“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 - this year.”

The Cheetahs are in fourth position on the Currie Cup log and they need to win this weekend in order to keep their play-off chances alive.

WP, meanwhile, need to ensure they keep winning - this week and next - in order to secure a second successive first-place finish on the log.

“The Free State Cheetahs have improved considerably since the start of the Currie Cup season and they play a similar game to the Pumas,” said the WP coach.

“If you want to win the Currie Cup you need to win away from home - as we did in Nelspruit, despite the various injury disruptions.”

Saturday’s match, at the Free State Stadium, will get underway at 14:00, with both curtain-raisers involving the WP Under-19 (kick-off 10:00) and Under-21 teams (11:40).

Teams:

Free State Cheetahs:

15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 JP Du Plessis,13 Francois Venter,12 Joubert Engelbrecht,11 Raymond Rhule,10 Willie du Plessis,9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Lappies Labuschagné,7 Neil Claassen,6 Tienie Burger,5 Francois Uys,4 Werner Lourens,3 George Marich,2 Torsten Van Jaarsveld (captain),1 Coenie Oosthuizen

Substitutes:16 Hercu Liebenberg, 17 Caylib Oosthuizen,19 Henco Venter,19 Vincent Jobo,20 Shaun Venter,21 Pieter-Steyn de Wet, 22 AJ Coertzen

Western Province:

15 Dillyn Leyds, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Juan de Jongh (captain), 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

Substitutes: 16. Neil Rautenbach, 17. Brok Harris, 18. Oli Kebble, 19. Jurie van Vuuren, 20. Louis Schreuder, 21. Kurt Coleman, 22. Michael van der Spuy
We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1472 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2251 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE