WESTERN Province is looking forward to running rugby tomorrow afternoon in Stellenbosch with Springbok flyhalf Manie Libbok at the helm.
The World Cup winner, alongside double Webb Ellis holder Steven Kitshoff, strengthened the struggling side for the second-last Currie Cup clash against the Pumas at the Danie Craven Stadium (3pm start).
Libbok and Kitshoff were released by Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus to get valuable game time in the domestic competition before next weekend’s second Test against the All Blacks at DHL Stadium in Cape Town.
Although WP can’t make the play-offs anymore, they hope the duo, alongside some other returning United Rugby Championship (URC) players such as Bok hooker Joseph Dweba and lock Ruben van Heerden, can help them to a victory at home.
They’ve only triumphed twice over the Griffons and are hoping to close out the competition with two wins in the final two games.
Dweba, prop Brian le Roux and loose forward Dave Ewers are all set to make their debut off the bench.
Dawie Snyman, WP assistant coach, said yesterday the plan is to give Libbok and Kitshoff some much-needed game time, but for the Province players, it will also be good to play next to the World Cup winners and other URC guys.
“The important thing for Manie and Steven is to get game time; we are happy to give it to them. It helps that they are part of our group,” Snyman said about the inclusion of the duo.
“They bring good energy and it will be good for someone such as Damian Markus (inside centre) and Wandi (Wandisile Simelane, outside centre) to play next to Manie, and Steven scrummaging alongside a youngster like Corne Weilbach (tight head). The guys are excited to have them around.
“We told the guys, though, that everyone has to do his work. You can’t expect Manie to run the whole team and make all the decisions. But Manie is a special player and you could immediately see the flow he brings to a team.”
According to Snyman, when Libbok found out he was going to be released to play in the Currie Cup, he immediately asked for information from his coaches to prepare for tomorrow’s clash.
WP expects a forwards-based onslaught from the Pumas who are still in the hunt for a semi-final spot, and Snyman believes if they can lay the base up front, the backs will make their magic.
“The Pumas will come with everything they have because they can still make that play-off. They are always strong with their scrums and rolling mauls, so we must secure that before thinking of anything else.
“We expect some stop-start (due to the changes), but we also expect some excitement and things we worked on to come together.”
Western Province: 15 Luke Burger, 14 Courtnall Skosan, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Damian Markus, 11 Gino Cupido, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Imad Khan, 8 Divan Fuller, 7 Hendre Stassen, 6 Willie Engelbrecht (captain), 5 Gary Porter, 4 Adre Smith, 3 Corne Weilbach, 2 JJ Kotze, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Replacements: 16 Joseph Dweba, 17 Vernon Matongo, 18 Brian le Roux, 19 Ruben van Heerden, 20 Dave Ewers, 21 Sibusiso Sangweni, 22 Dewaldt Duvenage, 23 Jurie Matthee.