Loose forward shake-up for Province

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Marcel Theunissen will start at flank in one of three changes to the Western Province forward pack for their Currie Cup clash with the Bulls at Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday.

There are no changes to the backline that started in the 48-36 victory against the Lions, as Western Province look to make it back-to-back home wins to start the campaign.

Theunissen is joined in the loose trio by skipper Nama Xaba and Keke Morabe, who makes his first start at No.8, with Simon Miller shifting to the second row.

Seasoned prop Ali Vermaak makes his return from injury on the replacements bench, with tighthead prop Corne Weilbach.

While hooker Jacques Goosen and loose forwards Jarrod Taylor and Roelof Smit (currently on trial) are all in line to make their senior Western Province debut should they take the field.

Smit is a one-cap Springbok, while youngsters Weilbach, Taylor and Goosen are all part of SARU’s Elite Player Development System via the SA Schools and Junior Springbok programmes.

Western Province: 15 Tristan Leyds, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 Leolin Zas, 12 Cornel Smit, 11 Paschal Ekeji, 10 Tim Swiel, 9 Thomas Bursey, 8 Keke Morabe, 7 Marcel Theunissen, 6 Nama Xaba (captain), 5 Simon Miller, 4 Connor Evans, 3 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 2 Chad Solomon, 1 Kwenzo Blose.

Replacements: 16 Jacques Goosen, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Corne Weilbach, 19 Jarrod Taylor, 20 Roelof Smit, 21 Godlen Masimla, 22 Chris Schreuder, 23 Mnombo Zwelendaba.

Date: Wendesday, January 19

Venue: Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town

Kick-off: 20.00 (18.00 GMT)

Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen

Assistant Referees: Cwengile Jadezweni, Local

TMO: Marius Jonker