Western Province have been boosted by the availability of a fit-again Springbok for their Currie Cup semi-final against the Bulls in Pretoria on Friday.
Springbok hooker Scarra Ntubeni comes in as one of two changes to the starting team for the playoff match, which kicks off at 7pm at Loftus Versfeld.
Both changes are in the front row, with tighthead Sazi Sandi joining Ntubeni up front and Neethling Fouche set to make an impact in the second half from the replacements bench.
Also on the extended replacements bench are hooker Andre-Hugo Venter and fullback Warrick Gelant.
Western Province head coach John Dobson was elated to have some continuity in selection ahead of the semi-final.
“We were pleased with the way the team stood up last week and we will need to show the same pride in the jersey up in Pretoria on Friday, so we are very happy to be going in with most of the same combinations.
“We know that we will have to be accurate in all areas of our game and every player in our match-day squad is ready to give everything they have to get the result we need and book a place in the final,” he said.
Western Province – 15 Sergeal Petersen, 14 Ruhan Nel, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Tim Swiel, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Marcel Theunissen, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Johan du Toit, 4 Ernst van Rhyn (c), 3 Sazi Sandi, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Leon Lyons.
Replacements (from): 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Justin Basson, 20 Nama Xaba, 21 Godlen Masimla, 22 Rikus Pretorius, 23 Tristan Leyds, 24 Warrick Gelant.
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images