Zain Davids, the Springbok Sevens bruiser, will lead a fresh-faced DHL Western Province into battle against the Vodacom Bulls in Saturday’s Carling Currie Cup opener at DHL Stadium (17h10 kick-off).
Davids captains a side featuring seven debutants — including fellow Blitzbok Shilton van Wyk at fullback, winger Quewin Nortje, scrumhalf Asad Moos, No.8 De Wet Marais, lock Alex Groves and prop Cabous Eloff — in a bold selection for the North-South showdown.
“We’ve got an exciting mix for this opener — and that’s before eight Junior Boks join us next week,” said head coach Labeeb Levy.
“This team will fight for every minute in the blue and white hoops.”
Courtnall Skosan anchors a back three brimming with pace, while Luke Burger and Damian Markus form the midfield. Moos partners Kyle Smith at halfback, and Davids joins Marais and Louw Nel in the loose trio. Up front, veterans Scarra Ntubeni and Sti Sithole prop up a pack backed by hungry club stars on the bench.
There’s youth, there’s power — and with Davids leading the charge, expect fireworks in Cape Town’s oldest rugby rivalry.
Western Province as well as their arch enemy, the Bulls, will want to use this season opener as a benchmark to set the tone for the rest of their respective Currie Cup campaigns.
Bulls coach Phiwe Nomlomo named seven debutants in his side, of whom six players are Under-21sThe seven debutants are Shaun Schurmann, Jean Erasmus, Jaco Grobbelaar, Dylan de Leeuw, Steven Nel, PA van Niekerk and Marco Ferreira.
“The players have trained well,” said Nomlomo ahead of the new season.
The 23-man squad for the weekend appears rich with promise, led by breakdown fiend Nama Xaba, who will have experienced players like Marvin Orie, Zak Burger, and Jeandré Rudolph to call on.
DHL Western Province: 15 Shilton van Wyk, 14 Courtnall Skosan, 13 Luke Burger, 12 Damian Markus, 11 Quewin Nortje, 10 Kyle Smith, 9 Asad Moos, 8 De Wet Marais, 7 Louw Nel, 6 Zain Davids (captain), 5 Gary Porter, 4 Alex Groves, 3 Cabous Eloff, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Sti Sithole.
Replacements: 16 Lukhanyo Vokozela, 17 Mhleli Khuzwayo, 18 Arno Gustafson, 19 Carlo van Greunen, 20 Erhard Lambrecht, 21 Ezekiel Ngobeni, 22 Sako Makata, 23 Tristan Leyds.
Bulls: 15 Henry Immelman, 14 Katlego Letebele, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Chris Barend Smit, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Boeta Chamberlain, 9 Zak Burger, 8 Jeandré Rudolph, 7 Junior Pokomela, 6 Nama Xaba (captain), 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Sintu Manjezi, 3 Francois Klopper, 2 Joe van Zyl, 1 Dylan Smith.
Replacements: 16 Shaun Schurmann, 17 Lizo Gqoboka, 18 Jean Erasmus, 19 Jaco Grobbelaar, 20 Dylan de Leeuw, 21 Steven Nel, 22 PA van Niekerk, 23 Marco Ferreira
Date: Saturday, July 26
Venue: Cape Town Stadium, Green Point
Kick-off: 17.10 (15.10 GMT)
Referee: Sean Muller (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Hanru van Rooyen (South Africa), Charlwin Daries (South Africa)
TMO: Egon Seconds (South Africa)
