Coach John Dobson has made seven changes to Western Province’s starting lineup for Saturday’s match against the Sharks at Newlands.

The inclusion of Damian Willemse, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Wilco Louw and Bongi Mbonambi in the Springboks’ match 23 for the Test against the Wallabies forced Dobson to make four changes, while the other three are rotational.

In the backline, Dillyn Leyds takes over from Willemse at fullback, SP Marais slots in on the left wing, with JJ Engelbrecht shifting to the bench, and scrumhalf Jano Vermaak starts ahead of Herschel Jantjies.

Ruan Nel remains at outside centre having been released from the Bok squad.

Dobson has tweaked the loose trio, with Ernst van Rhyn coming in at blindside flank in Notshe’s absence and Kobus van Dyk moving to openside.

Lock JD Schickerling replaces Salmaan Moerat in the second row and front rowers Michael Kumbirai and Scarra Ntubeni return to fill the void left by Louw and Mbonambi.

Western Province – 15 Dillyn Leyds, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Dan Kriel, 11 SP Marais, 10 Josh Stander, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Juarno Augustus, 7 Ernst van Rhyn, 6 Kobus van Dyk, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Chris van Zyl (c), 3 Michael Kumbirai, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Ali Vermaak.
Subs: 16 Chad Solomon, 17 Caylib Oosthuizen, 18 Carlu Sadie, 19 Salmaan Moerat, 20 Chris Massyn, 21 Herschel Jantjies, 22 JJ Engelbrecht.

Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images