Mbonambi starts for WP as Notshe set to earn 50th cap

Sikhumbuzo Notshe will look to make an impact off the bench in his 50th game for Western Province on Sunday. Photo: Gerhard Steenkamp/BackpagePix

Sikhumbuzo Notshe will look to make an impact off the bench in his 50th game for Western Province on Sunday. Photo: Gerhard Steenkamp/BackpagePix

Published Oct 6, 2017

Share

Loose forward Sikhumbuzo Notshe will earn his 50th cap for Western Province when he comes off the replacements bench against the Golden Lions at Ellis Park on Sunday.

Notshe will become the fourth Western Province player to reach the 50-cap mark this season, with prop Ali Vermaak, loose forward Nizaam Carr and captain Chris van Zyl all having reached the milestone in previous matches.

There are two changes to the backline and two changes to the forward pack for the Currie Cup encounter with the Golden Lions, which kicks off at 2.30pm on Sunday.

Dewaldt Duvenage starts at scrumhalf in place of the injured Jano Vermaak, with Justin Phillips among the replacements, while out wide, Ruhan Nel rotates with fellow sevens speedster Werner Kok on the left wing.

Upfront, hooker Bongi Mbonambi returns from Springbok duty to play his first game of the season for WP, and in the loose trio, Kobus van Dyk comes in on the flank.

Province coach John Dobson said that his team are looking forward to another tough test away from home.

“We know that this match will be another big challenge up on the highveld, but the team have embraced it and are determined to throw everything into this effort.

“Hopefully we can build on what we achieved last week and take some real momentum towards the playoffs with back-to-back away wins,” he said.

Western Province Team

15 Damian Willemse, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 EW Viljoen, 12 Huw Jones, 11 Ruhan Nel, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Cobus Wiese, 6 Kobus van Dyk, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Chris van Zyl (captain), 3 Frans van Wyk, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.

Bench: 16 Ramone Samuels, 17 Caylib Oosthuizen, 18 Jan de Klerk, 19 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 20 Justin Phillips, 21 Werner Kok, 22 Craig Barry.

WP Rugby

Related Topics: