Veteran centre Juan de Jongh will captain Western Province for the coastal clash with the Sharks in Stellenbosch on Friday.
The 19-Test-capped Springbok takes the captaincy in the Capetonians’ final Currie Cup match of the season at the Danie Craven Stadium.
De Jongh has enjoyed good fortune against the Sharks over the years, notably when he jinked his way through the Durbanites’ defence to score one of the most memorable tries in Currie Cup final history as WP claimed a 25-18 victory in 2012.
Meanwhile, Tristan Leyds will start at flyhalf for WP on Friday, with Sergeal Petersen shifting to fullback and Ebenezer Tshimanga coming into the starting XV on the left wing.
There are two changes to the forward pack, with Shaine Orderson making his first start on the flank and Lee-Marvin Mazibuko at tighthead prop.
Coach Jerome Paarwater said WP will be aiming to sign off their campaign on a high in Stellenbosch.
“The players are determined to show how much it means for them to play in this jersey and we will be giving it everything we have while also enjoying the experience on Friday,” Paarwater said.
“We want to finish strong and show what we are capable of, so it should be a great game against a strong Sharks side.”
Western Province – 15 Sergeal Petersen, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 Cornel Smit, 12 Juan de Jongh (c), 11 Ebenezer Tshimanga, 10 Tristan Leyds, 9 Thomas Bursey, 8 Keke Morabe, 7 Marcel Theunissen, 6 Shaine Orderson, 5 Ben-Jason Dixon, 4 Simon Miller, 3 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 2 Jacques van Zyl, 1 Ali Vermaak.
Subs: 16 HP van Schoor, 17 Kwenzo Blose, 18 Leon Lyons, 19 Hilton Lobberts, 20 Jarrod Taylor, 21 Bobby Alexander, 22 Jonathan Roche, 23 Mnombo Zwelendaba.
