Xaba leads WP as loose-forward depth attracts focus

Promising and talented openside flank Nama Xaba has been entrusted with the duty of leading DHL Western Province in their opening Carling Currie Cup clash with the Sigma Lions in Cape Town on Saturday.

The first WP selection of the new domestic season reflects what the Currie Cup has become, with the side looking very much like a development or fringe selection. However, there are some interesting selections that have been made by Province coach Jerome Paarwater that reflect the depth available to the Stormers head coach John Dobson, who sees his team swing back into action the following week with a Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash with the Vodacom Bulls in Pretoria.

For instance, Leolin Zas, normally a wing, has been selected at outside centre in partnership with Cornel Smit, while former Lions star No8 Hacjivah Dayimani makes a start against his old teammates after recovering from injury.

Xaba’s selection as captain suggests that Dobson will be looking elsewhere for his starting No6 the following week, though that is not cast in stone, and it is interesting to see Deon Fourie returning to rugby via the WP bench in this game.

Fourie was excellent in the openside role during the Stormers’ URC tour before he was injured and could well be the Stormers No6 in the game against the Bulls.

With Willie Engelbrecht having returned to the Pumas, the Stormers need looseforward depth. It looks like the Cheetahs’ Junior Pokemela is the only loan player to be staying with the Stormers, with scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer also returning to Griquas for the Currie Cup.

The highly promising Simon Miller has been selected on the other flank while Tim Swiel, who is likely to at least feature in the Stormers match day squads as back-up for Manie Libbok, will wear the No10 jersey and the young WP team will rely heavily on his experience as well as his steadiness.

Angelo Davids, who recently confirmed he wants to focus on the conventional code after concentrating mainly on his career with the Blitzboks last year, will start on the wing and Dobson will be interested in how he goes as the Stormers do have gaps at wing since Edwill van der Merwe headed to Johannesburg.

DHL Western Province team: Tristan Leyds, Angelo Davids, Leolin Zas, Cornel Smit, Paschal Ekeji, Tim Swiel, Thomas Bursey, Hacjivah Dayimani, Simon Miller, Nama Xaba (captain), Adre Smith, Connor Evans, Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, Chad Solomon, Kwenzo Blose.

Replacements: Jacques van Zyl, Leon Lyons, Sazi Sandi, Keke Morabe, Deon Fourie, Godlen Masimla, Chris Schreuder Monombo Zwelendaba.