Captain Juan de Jongh will return to the Western Province lineup for Friday's match against the Golden Lions at Ellis Park.

De Jongh has been out of action since mid-August as the result of a knee injury, but has now been declared fit and available for selection.

'Medically he has 40 minutes [in him], so it’s up to us to decide which 40 minutes it will be – the first or second half,' coach John Dobson said. 'Having him back is a big boost for us, which is why I am considering to start with him. He is the leader of this squad, everyone looks up to him, so his return is certainly timely.'

Chris Cloete, an 11th-hour withdrawal ahead of last weekend’s 50-19 win over the Pumas, is also back in selection contention along with prop Steven Kitshoff, but calls will still be made over loose forward Rynhardt Elstadt and fullback Cheslin Kolbe later in the week.

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