Round three casts Western Province as the team to topple in this season's Currie Cup, with Allister's Coetzee's men the only unbeaten side after the opening two games.
Province have been efficient but uninspiring so far this season, using their forward might to grind out victories over the Cheetahs and Lions, with the accurate boot of Willem de Waal playing a major role. Their opening two wins, including a 32-0 shutout of the Lions, came without bonus points but they will hope to cut loose this weekend as they take on the struggling Leopards in Potchefstroom.
The home side are rooted to the bottom of the table after losing out 37-32 to the Pumas last weekend and will have to combat a strong Province line-up. Coetzee has made only two changes, both in the front-row, as Deon Fourie comes in for Tiaan Liebenberg at hooker JD Moller for Wicus Blaauw in the No.1 jersey. The Leopards have named Walter Venter at inside-centre, having taken the Lions player on loan after he missed out on their Currie Cup squad.
The Sharks will be hoping to build on last weekend's engrossing win over the Blue Bulls when they welcome the Pumas to Kings Park on Friday night. Coach John Plumtree has named a powerful side for the game in the hope of keeping their momentum alive, electing to keep his starting line-up intact. The impressive Patrick Lambie continues in the 12 shirt while Lwazi Mvovo has been in menacing form out wide. On the bench, Willem Alberts makes his long-awaited return from an ankle injury.
The Blue Bulls, comfortable winners over the Pumas in round one, need to bounce back and face a Free State side on a high after a derby win over Griquas last weekend. Former Northampton lock Juandre Kruger returns to the Bulls' bench after a shoulder injury, while fly-half Jacques-Louis Potgieter goes up against his former side.
Having shown their running game against the Sharks in week one, the Griquas will want to cut loose in Kimberley against a Golden Lions side that struggled at Newlands. Wikus van Heerden will miss the game for the visitors, having broken his arm. Jonothan Mokuena takes a place on the bench in his absence while in the front-row, JC Janse Van Rensburg is also carrying a knock and is replaced by Kevin Buys.
The Griquas have a major injury worry in Springbok wing Bjorn Basson, who has been bracketed in the starting line-up alongside Richard Lawson. Jacobie Adriaanse returns to the front-row at the expense of Albertus Buckle.
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