Bosch gets another Currie Cup chance

FNB Maties centre Paul Bosch has replaced his club mate Morgan Newman in the Western Province squad for Saturday's Currie Cup meeting with the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.

Morgan has been ruled out until March 2010 after suffering a knee injury during last weekend's 25-19 win over the Blue Bulls, but the WP midfield is in safe hands - mainly thanks to the back-to-back Varsity Cup champions.

Matie Juan de Jongh - who played in the 2008 Varsity Cup Final - will wear the No.12 shirt on Saturday, with former Blue Bulls and Bath stalwart Frikkie Welsh on his outside in the No.13 position.

Bosch, meanwhile, will warm the bench - alongside fellow 2009 Varsity Cup star JJ Engelbrecht; making it a total of six Maties on the bench, with UCT hooker Hanyani Shimange the odd man out.

Of course, Bosch - a former Pukke star - is no stranger to the WP set-up, having warmed the bench against Griquas a few weeks ago. He was also a member of the SA Universities squad which recently played two games against an American Collegiate outfit.

The Western Province team: 15 Joe Pietersen, 14 Tonderai Chavhanga, 13 Frikkie Welsh, 12 Juan de Jongh, 11 Gio Aplon, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Luke Watson (captain), 7 Duane Vermeulen, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Anton van Zyl, 4 Chris Jack, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Deon Fourie, 1 Wicus Blaauw.
Replacements: 16 Hanyani Shimange, 17 JD Moller, 18 De Kock Steenkamp, 19 Pieter Louw, 20 Conrad Hoffmann, 21 Paul Bosch, 22 JJ Engelbrecht.

Venue: Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein
Kick-off: 3pm