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Newlands, Cape Town (16-07-2011, 14:00 GMT)
Newlands in Cape Town is the setting for the match between Western Province and GWK Griquas. The home side will be mindful that the team from Kimberley always start the Currie Cup very well. Last year they won four out of their first six matches, including victories over the Sharks and the Golden Lions.
GWK Griquas finished sixth in the Currie Cup last year and will be looking at a top four finish this year. They only won two of their last eight matches and coach Abré Minnie knows greater consistency will be needed if his team is to progress to the semi-finals.
WP, last year 's runners up in the Currie Cup, will however be a tough nut to crack at home. Even though Province will be withou a host of their Super Rugby stars, they will look to build on the solid performances by the Stormers in the last few months.
The visitors will be without the injured Sarel Pretorius, star scrumhalf of the Cheetahs in the recent Super Rugby series, while GWK Griquas will be lead by former Springbok Sevens star, Jonathan Mokuena, who is back in Kimberley after a stint playing in Johannesburg.
According to GWK Griquas assistant coach, Pote Human, the fact that WP will be without a number of front line players, will not make the trip to Cape Town any easier.
"There is no such thing as a weak Western Province side and it 's always tough to play at Newlands. Myself and head coach Abré Minnie are also new in our roles here at Griquas, so it won 't be easy, but we 're looking forward to the challenge, " said Human.
Teams:
Western Province: 15. Conrad Jantjes, 14. Danie Poolman, 13. Johan Sadie, 12. Tim Whitehead, 11. JJ Engelbrecht, 10. Gary van Aswegen, 9. Louis Schreuder, 8. Nick Koster, 7. Siya Kolisi, 6. Wimpie van der Walt, 5. De Kock Steenkamp, 4. Hilton Lobberts, 3. Brok Harris, 2. Deon Fourie (captain), 1. Wicus Blaauw.
Replacements: 16. Tiaan Liebenberg, 17. Frans Malherbe, 18. Adriaan Fondse, 19. Rohann Kitshoff, 20. Nick Groom, 21. Demetri Castrikillis, 22. Marcel Brache
Griquas: Not yet announced