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Damian Willemse will start as fullback in one of three baseline changes from the Western Province to face the Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday.
Western Province’s starting front group remains unchanged, while there are three changes and two position changes on the baseline for the trip to Ellis Park.
Willemse will take over from injured Warrick Gelant as fullback after the Springbok was ruled out for six to nine months for a torn knee ligament.
Replacing Willemse on flyhalf will be Tim Swiel, who forms a new running back combination with Godlen Masimla. Herschel Jantjies will miss the match after not being named to the team of the day.
In the only other change to Province’s starting lineup, there is a midfield change where Ruhan Nel starts at outside center, causing Dan du Plessis to switch to inside center, with Rikus Pretorius named on an extended bench.
Also among the replacements are blocking David Meihuizen, flank Marcel Theunissen and scrum half Paul de Wet.
The province’s head coach, John Dobson, said his team has accepted the challenge that awaits them in Johannesburg.
“We know that we will have to do our best for 80 minutes this weekend if we are to get the result we are looking for,” Dobson said.
“We have prepared well for this game and everyone is looking forward to the opportunity to show what it means to us to play in Western Province.”
Western Province – 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Tim Swiel, 9 Godlen Masimla, 8 Juarno Augustus, 7 Ernst van Rhyn, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Subs (de): 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 David Meihuizen, 20 Marcel Theunissen, 21 Johan du Toit, 22 Paul de Wet, 23 Tristan Leyds, 24 Jaco Coetzee, 25 Kade Wolhuter, 26 Rikus Pretorius .
Photo: Shaun Roy / Gallo Images
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