Fouche leads URC-strength WP in Kimberley

Prop Neethling Fouche will lead out the DHL Western Province team in their crucial Currie Cup match against The Windhoek Draught Griquas in Kimberley on Friday afternoon.

With only two rounds left of the Currie Cup before the playoffs, the match is a must-win for both sides and WP have included a handful of players who played in the final of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship team to bolster their chances at a very hostile away ground.

Loose forward Hacjivah Dayimani, midfielder Ruhan Nel, winger Angelo Davids and fellow winger Leolin Zas were all starters in the final against Munster, which the Stormers narrowly lost last weekend.

In addition to this Fouche was on the bench along with fellow URC Regulars in Ben-Jason Dixon, Paul de Wet. Ruben van Heerden, who started in the URC final, is also on the bench.

This translates into a very strong WP side who will need five points to keep their dreams of making the playoffs alive.

Fouche packs down with the experienced front row of Ali Vermaak and Scarra Ntubeni, while Adre Smith and Connor Evans are behind them. Dayimani leads a back row that is dangerous with Theunissen and Dixon at his side.

De Wet is at halfback with Jurie Mathee in at 10 as Jean-Luc du Plessis is still completing concussion protocols and his return-to-play after a head knock last weekend.

Clayton Blommetjies completes the back three with Zas and Davids, while Ruhan Nel joins the experienced Juan de Jongh in the midfield.

DHL WP: Clayton Blommetjies; Angelo Davids, Ruhan Nel, Juan de Jongh, Leolin Zas; Jurie Mathee, Paul de Wet; Hacjivah Dayimani, Ben-Jason Dixon, Marcel Theunissen, Connor Evans, Adre Smith, Neethling Fouche (captain), Scarra Ntubeni, Ali Vermaak.

Replacements: Andre-Hugo Venter, Leon Lyons, Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, Ruben van Heerden, Willie Engelbrecht, Louw Nel, Godlen Masimla, Cornel Smit.