An ‘amazingly sharp’ Damian de Allende will play in his first Currie Cup match this season when he starts for Western Province in their all-important fixture against the Boland Cavaliers at Newlands tomorrow night.
The inside centre, who was released from the Springbok squad ahead of their Rugby Championship Test against Australia at Loftus on Saturday, comes straight into the starting XV in place of Huw Jones, who has been sidelined with a hamstring injury. He is one of five changes to the team who beat Griquas in fine style in Kimberley last Friday.
Province have had a Springbok swap in midfield, as Juan de Jongh, who featured for WP last week, has returned to the Bok camp.
De Allende, who has failed to return to his 2015 form or produce a great outing for the Boks this year, will start alongside Johnny Kotze in midfield.
But despite De Allende’s on-field struggles, WP coach John Dobson has full confidence in the centre’s ability to lift the team at Newlands.
“He looked amazingly sharp at training. I have seldom seen that sort of class injected into a training session like he did yesterday. He was really looking sharp and he’s very keen to play rugby. He’s been overlooked by the Springboks, but he’s going to be outstanding for us on Friday night,” Dobson said.
“I think he just wants to play a game of rugby free of pressure where he can enjoy himself and express himself. Let’s hope the environment is finally here.”
For Province last week, De Jongh looked better than he had been looking in the green- and-gold jersey, as he had a few good moments and scored a try. And Dobson is hoping that the decreased pressure will have the same effect on De Allende’s game.
“Both sessions yesterday he was incredible. He’s got a point to prove, but he must just go and show how good he is and not go out there to prove people wrong,” Dobson said.
In a rotational change out wide, Scott van Breda gets a starting opportunity on the wing, while the exciting Werner Kok gets a break from a full 80-minute game and will provide cover on the bench.
Dobson also said that the inclusion of Van Breda was a logical one as Province have gone with a five-two bench split this week. But by opting for the versatile Van Breda on the wing, Dobson also gets to test his backline options before the play-offs.
Up front, hooker Mike Willemse will take charge of the lineout-throwing duties in the place of Bongi Mbonambi, who has returned to the Bok squad.
Loosehead prop Alistair Vermaak and tighthead Wilco Louw will start in the front row, while JC Janse van Rensburg will add some punch off the bench if he makes an appearance.
“We know that our play off fate is in our hands. So the players are really motivated to continue on the upward curve we have been on in the last few weeks. Boland will certainly will not lack motivation themselves - so it should make for a great match to watch at Newlands,” Dobson said.
Cape Times