WP make big changes for must-win clash in Durban

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: There are five changes to the Western Province forward pack for their Currie Cup encounter with the Sharks in Durban on Saturday.

Western Province require a win in their final league match at Kings Park, in order to qualify for the play-offs.

Due to injuries, Johan du Toit shifts from the loose trio to No.5 lock, with flanks Deon Fourie and Marcel Theunissen coming into the starting line-up on the side of the scrum.

Lock JD Schickerling is still out injured, while David Meihuizen, who started in the 25-46 defeat to Griquas, has an ankle injury.

WP will also be without Evan Roos, who has been their best player so far.

"With Evan, it is just a bit of dead leg and he just needed time to recover, so we are just playing it safe," said Province assistant coach Rito Hlungwani.

"With Dave [David Meihuizen] it is just a niggle on the ankle."

Up front, there are two new props in Leon Lyons and Neethling Fouche starting on either side of hooker Andre-Hugo Venter.

In the backline, Juan de Jongh comes back in at outside centre and Ruhan Nel moves out to the right wing, with Sergeal Petersen at fullback in place of Warrick Gelant who has a minor injury niggle.

Western Province head coach John Dobson said that his team is ready to put everything they have into what is a must-win game.

"This has been a Currie Cup campaign unlike any other and we know exactly what we need to do in order to be playing in a semifinal next week.

"Having had a whole week to prepare, we have worked hard on certain areas of our game and the players will definitely be highly motivated to do the jersey proud and get the result we need in Durban," he said.

Western Province: 15 Sergeal Petersen, 14 Ruhan Nel, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Tim Swiel, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Marcel Theunissen, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Johan du Toit, 4 Ernst van Rhyn (captain), 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Andre-Hugo Venter, 1 Leon Lyons.

Replacements - from: 16 JJ Kotze, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Simon Miller, 20 Nama Xaba, 21 Godlen Masimla, 22 Rikus Pretorius, 23 Tristan Leyds, 24 Justin Basson, 25 De Wet Marais.

Date: Saturday, August 28

Venue: Kings Park, Durban

Kick-off: 19.00 (17.00 GMT)

Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen

Assistant referees: Paul Mente, local appointment

TMO: Aimee Barrett-Theron