DHL WP change one for 2014 Absa Currie Cup Final

DHL Western Province coach Allister Coetzee has kept the changes to a minimum for Saturday's 2014 Absa Currie Cup Final clash against the Xerox Golden Lions at DHL Newlands (kick-off 17h00).

In the only change to the starting XV that beat the Blue Bulls by 31-23 last weekend, fit-again centre Jaco Taute returns in the No.12 jersey to resume his partnership with skipper Juan de Jongh, who will be playing in his 50th match in the Blue & White hoops of DHL Western Province.

Michael van der Spuy reverts to the bench for Saturday's final, where he is joined by lock Gerbrandt Grobler, who comes into the matchday squad at the expense of prop Oli Kebble, who came off the bench last weekend.

No.8 Nizaam Carr, who left the field in the first half of last week's semifinal, has been passed fit for the final, with coach Coetzee praising the consistency in selection during the business-end of the 2014 Absa Currie Cup.

"We've had some tough calls to make, especially last week, but we are fortunate to have not made many changes these past two weeks," said the DHL WP boss, who will be guiding his team into a third successive final this weekend.

"Jaco is fit and takes his place at inside centre again and we're fortunate to have a guy like Michael van der Spuy backing him up, with Jaco providing additional back-up given his versatility across the backline."

DHL WP and the Lions will lock horns for the third time this Absa Currie Cup season, with both teams winning once up until now, but, according to Coetzee, the hosts are looking forward to Saturday's Finals Day which will see the DHL WP Under-19 (kick-off 12h15), Under-21 (14h00) and Senior (17h00) teams involved in all three finals on offer.

"It's a challenge that we're embracing and one that we're excited about. You can't ask for more than running out at a packed DHL Newlands. This side has matured well this season and we're really looking forward to Saturday," Coetzee told www.wprugby.com.

"The Lions have been a very consistent team this year - in terms of their selection and performances and we're expecting a ferocious onslaught from them. They play a similar brand to us, so we should be in for a great final."

As of Thursday morning at 11h00, 4,000 seating tickets were still available for sale, along with 1,000 standing tickets for the final. Tickets can be purchased online at http://wprugby.ticketpros.co.za, from selected PostNet outlets and the DHL Newlands box office in Boundary Road, Newlands (09h00 to 16h00).

The DHL WP team for Saturday's final (v Golden Lions, home) is as follows:

15. Cheslin Kolbe 14. Kobus van Wyk 13. Juan de Jongh (captain - 50th cap for DHL Western Province) 12. Jaco Taute 11. Seabelo Senatla 10. Demetri Catrakilis 9. Nic Groom 8. Nizaam Carr 7. Michael Rhodes 6. Rynhardt Elstadt 5. Manuel Carizza 4. Jean Kleyn 3. Pat Cilliers (vice-captain) 2. Scarra Ntubeni 1. Alistair Vermaak

Replacements: 16. Neil Rautenbach 17. Brok Harris 18. Gerbrandt Grobler 19. Sikhumbuzo Notshe 20. Louis Schreuder 21. Kurt Coleman 22. Michael van der Spuy

Referee: Craig Joubert Assistant referees: Jaco Peyper, Lesego 'Pro' Legoete Television Match Official: Deon van Blommestein