Next generation on show for WP
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The next generation of talent will get an opportunity to show what they can do as Western Province take on the Cheetahs in a Challenge match in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
Three Western Province Under-20 players have been named in the starting line-up, with a further four on an extended replacements bench.
Seabelo Senatla will make his return from injury in a back three which also features Tristan Leyds and Leolin Zas.
Junior Springbok flyhalf Sacha Mngomezulu will have centres Rikus Pretorius and Cornel Smit outside him, with the experienced Godlen Masimla as his halfback partner.
The loose trio will feature the hard-working pair of Marcel Theunissen and captain Nama Xaba, along with the versatile Jean-Jacques Kotze who gets a run on the flank.
U20 locks Dylan de Leeuw and Connor Evans will pack down behind a front row of Sazi Sandi, Andre-Hugo Venter and Leon Lyons.
Forwards coach Rito Hlungwani is expecting to see plenty of energy from the young pack.
"These players are all hungry to make an impression, so we should see a big effort from them for the full 80 minutes, which is something we will need against the home side in Bloemfontein," he said.
Backline Coach Dawie Snyman said that this is a great opportunity to integrate some promising young talent into the senior ranks.
"We have got some really exciting players in this team along with a few more experienced guys, so we are looking forward to seeing how they feed off one another in Bloemfontein," he said.
Western Province: 15 Tristan Leyds, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Cornel Smit, 12 Rikus Pretorius, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Sacha Mngomezulu, 9 Godlen Masimla, 8 Marcel Theunissen, 7 Nama Xaba (captain), 6 Jean-Jacques Kotze, 5 Dylan de Leeuw, 4 Connor Evans, 3 Sazi Sandi, 2 Andre-Hugo Venter, 1 Leon Lyons.
Replacements - from: 16 Chad Solomon, 17 Kwenzo Blose, 18 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 19 Jarrod Taylor, 20 Romauld Ntumba, 21 Simon Miller, 22 Thomas Bursey, 23 Paschal Ekeji, 24 Mambo Mkhize, 25 Litha Nkula.
Date: Saturday, November 13
Venue: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Kick-off: 17:30 (15.30 GMT)
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen
Assistant referees: Griffin Colby, Darren Colby
TMO: Cwengile Jadezweni