Another WP start for De Jongh

FNB Maties centre Juan de Jongh has retained his place in the Western Province team for Friday night's Currie Cup clash against the Leopards.

De Jongh - who played in the 2008 Varsity Cup Final - will again wear the No.13 jersey, having last week taken over from fellow Stellenbosch ace, and Emerging Springbok, Morgan Newman.

Twenty-one-year-old De Jongh initially impressed off the bench in the 2009 Currie Cup, but he showed in his first start against the Cheetahs last week what a tough character he is - on attack and defence.

Another Maties man, Joe Pietersen - who also played in the 2008 Varsity Cup Final, is back at fullback for WP, forcing club mate Gio Aplon to the wing, whilst yet another Stellenbosch ace, scrumhalf Conrad Hoffmann, will start in place of the injured Dewaldt Duwenage in the No.9 shirt.

The Maties, under the coaching of former WP No.8 Chean Roux, have won both Varsity Cup titles thus far - beating UCT in the 2008 final and Pukke in the 2009 finale.

The Western Province team: 15 Joe Pietersen, 14 Tonderai Chavhanga, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Peter Grant, 11 Gio Aplon, 10 Willem de Waal, 9 Conrad Hoffmann, 8 Luke Watson (captain), 7 Duane Vermeulen, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Anton van Zyl, 4 Hilton Lobberts, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 JD Moller.
Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Wicus Blaauw, 18 Chris Jack, 19 Pieter Louw, 20 Bolla Conradie, 21 Morgan Newman, 22 Frikkie Welsh.

Kick-off: 7pm