Ali Vermaak is back to add experience to the DHL Western Province front row as the Cape team desperately tries to resurrect a Carling Currie Cup campaign that has struggled to get going.
Nama Xaba’s team host the Toyota Cheetahs at DHL Stadium on Friday afternoon (kick-off 16.45) and they couldn’t face a more difficult opponent in a game that really is do-or-die for them. WP are currently eight points, meaning two wins, behind fourth-placed Windhoek Lager Griquas on the log, and with five games remaining, a loss to the Cheetahs will leave them without any hope of semifinal qualification.
Vermaak’s selection is the only change to the WP side that was competitive in patches of the recent clash with the Vodacom Bulls at Loftus. Although they never challenged for a win in Pretoria, they did score some quite spectacular tries en route to a try-scoring bonus point and it did represent progress in performance from their unexpectedly heavy home defeat to the Airlink Pumas in their previous game.
That was the last time WP played at home so they will be wanting put on a good performance to restore the faith of any of their supporters who do pitch for the public holiday game, which because of the cancellation of Saturday’s scheduled clash between the Cell C Sharks because of the Durban flooding is now the only big game to be played in South Africa over the long weekend.
WP coach Jerome Paarwater was obviously encouraged by what he saw at Loftus, which is why he has kept changes to a minimum.
“We have got some good continuity in our selections, so hopefully we will see some growth in those combinations,” said Paarwater.
“It is always great to be playing on our home ground and the team are determined to put on a good display for our fans.”
WP have had a markedly contrasting season to the DHL Stormers, who are currently flying in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, and will be looking for a good performance that will attract some kind of interest for their remaining games, which includes a clash with the Sharks and the return fixture against Griquas.
DHL Western Province team: Tristan Leyds, Sergeal Petersen, Juan de Jongh, Cornel Smit, Angelo Davids, Tim Swiel, Godlen Masimla, Keke Morabe, Marcel Theunissen, Nama Xaba (captain), Connor Evans, Ben-Jason Dixon, Sazi Sandi, JJ Kotze, Ali Vermaak. Replacements: Lukhanyo Vokozela, Kwenzo Blose, Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, Simon Miller, Jarrod Taylor, Bobby Alexander, Kade Wolhuter, Mnombo Zwelendaba.