WP forced to change for Griquas

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: A number of Springbok call-ups have forced Western Province into changes for their Currie Cup encounter with Griquas in Kimberley on Friday.

With four players who featured in the win against the Pumas joining the Springbok squad this week, Western Province coach John Dobson has had to change things up for the trip to Kimberley.

A fit-again Sarel Marais lines up at fullback in place of Dillyn Leyds in the only change to the starting backline, while Damian Willemse will also make his return from injury from the replacements bench.

In the loose trio, John Schickerling is back at blindside flank, with Ernst van Rhyn shifting back to the openside.

Salmaan Moerat is at lock alongside captain Chris van Zyl, while upfront prop Carlu Sadie and hooker Chad Solomon come in for Wilco Louw and Siyabonga Ntubeni.

Promising Under-21 hooker Schalk Erasmus is set to make his Western Province debut from the replacements bench, with lock David Meihuizen and scrumhalf Paul de Wet also coming into the match 23.

Western Province: 15 Sarel Marais, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Dan Kriel, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Josh Stander, 9 Justin Phillips, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 John Schickerling, 6 Ernst van Rhyn, 5 Chris van Zyl (captain), 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Chad Solomon, 1 Corne Fourie.

Replacements: 16 Schalk Erasmus, 17 Kwenzo Blose, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 David Meihuizen, 20 Nama Xaba, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Damian Willemse, 23 Edwill van der Merwe.

Date: Friday, August 16

Venue: Griqua Park, Kimberley

Kick-off: 19.15 (17.15 GMT)

Referee: TBC