Cape Town – Western Province's dynamic fullback Cheslin Kolbe has been declared fit for Saturday's Currie Cup clash against the Golden Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday.
Kolbe hobbled off the field last week after suffering a knee injury late in the match against the Kings and was given a clean bill of health on Thursday morning.
“Cheslin's knee has come through nicely so we're pleased he'll take up the fullback position against the Lions on Saturday,” coach Allister Coetzee said.
“One of the pleasing aspects of Cheslin being fit is that we can keep changes to a minimum.”
The Western Province backline enjoy a further boost with the return of Kurt Coleman as flyhalf. Since his return from injury three weeks ago, Coleman has been warming the bench while Demetri Catrakilis was the preferred starting number 10.
Coetzee said it was his intention to start Coleman last week but after Seabelo Senatla's injury, he did not want to make any additional backline changes.
“We brought in Kurt as a matter of rotation in the flyhalf position and we now have a situation where both players can stay sharp.
“Kurt has started at flyhalf in the Super Rugby season and now the two players can push each other for a starting place. Kurt's game is improving as his confidence grows.”
Catrakilis sat out at training on Thursday although he did practice place-kicking. He has an eye infection but Coetzee is confident he will make the trip to Johannesburg as Coleman's understudy on Saturday.
Scrumhalf Louis Schreuder was an automatic choice in the injury-enforced absence of Nic Groom. Schreuder will run out for his 50th Western Province cap and will be backed up by the promising under-21 scrumhalf Godlen Masimla, an exciting talent coming through the Cape ranks.
Coetzee said Groom's shoulder was healing well and his condition would be assessed weekly.
In the pack prop Pat Cilliers has replaced the evergreen Brok Harris.
Cilliers will be up against his former team-mates and Coetzee feels his knowledge of the Highveld conditions will be a big advantage.
At lock, last week's Man-of-the-Match Ruan Botha has been retained ahead of Argentina international Manuel Carizza who finds himself on the substitutes' bench.
He will provide loose forward cover in the absence of Rynhardt Elstadt, who is serving a three-match suspension.
Western Province team: Cheslin Kolbe, Kobus van Wyk, Juan de Jongh (captain), Jaco Taute, Pat Howard, Kurt Coleman, Louis Schreuder, Nizaam Carr, Michael Rhodes, Siya Kolisi, Ruan Botha, Jean Kleyn, Pat Cilliers, Stephan Coetzee, Alistair Vermaak.
Replacements: Scarra Ntuibeni, Brok Harris, Manuel Carizza, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Godlen Masimla, Demetri Catrakilis, Justin Geduld. – Sapa