It was at the Pretoria venue that Kotze, a former national age-group star, made his out of position Super Rugby debut for the Stormers. And he returns there on Saturday for his first start for Western Province in a Currie Cup game, and also his first start at the highest level in his preferred position of outside centre.
Kotze comes in for injured WP skipper Juan de Jongh, who is out of rugby for 10 to 12 weeks and has effectively ended his involvement with the Cape team for 2015.
“We will obviously miss Juan who is frankly irreplaceable for what he is as a person and a leader and what he represents to rugby in this region, but ironically we were intending to give Johnny an opportunity in this game,” said Kotze.
Although he played all his rugby for the Stormers on the wing in Super Rugby, he played his junior rugby in the No13 jersey, and that is where Dobson thinks he should specialise. (Be great if he shines as De Jongh has never really cut it beyond a very occassional flash of brilliance)
“I’d go as far as to say that Johnny’s positions are not inside centre or wing, so you can figure out what that leaves you with,” said the WP coach.
“He’s been great in training this week and we’re excited about what he can bring, particularly on attack. Obviously adjusting back to defending as a 13 might be a challenge as I reckon it is the most difficult position to cover defensively. That is particularly so at a place like Loftus, where you have a lot of prairie to cover.”
Kotze’s teammate Nic Groom, who has been installed as the vice-captain now that Nizaam Carr has been elevated to the captaincy in the absence of De Jongh, has no doubt that Kotze will deliver in both aspects of his game.
“He made his debut for the Stormers at Loftus out of position on the wing, and he came through that test with flying colours against a Bulls team that is difficult to play against as a wing because of their kicking game,” said Groom.
“He is a strong boy, he did well as a wing there. He’s also not the kind of guy who would go there without having done his homework.”
Kobus van Wyk is another former national age-group centre who has played most of his rugby on the wing for the Stormers and WP. Although he was not part of the match day squad selected for Loftus, Dobson said we will see him in the starting team for the next game.
“Kobus is a big strong winger, something we need in this country,(Hoor Hoor Meyer please watch this guy) and he was part of the Springbok group earlier in the year, so we will definitely start him in the following match against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein,” said Dobson.
Kotze’s selection in place of De Jongh is the only change to the side that beat the Cheetahs 9-3 in the wet weather at home last weekend. There are however a few changes on the bench, with Scarra Ntubeni being released from Bok squad duty to get game time among the reserves, while Chris van Zyl comes in as lock back-up and Huw Jones replaces
Van Wyk as the back covering centre and wing, a selection made with the need for a midfield back-up who can play both inside and outside centre in mind.
WHY IS LEYDS STILL THERE. HAS THIS FRAGILE PLAYER REALLY GOT AFURURE AT sUPER 15 LEVEL. HOPE CHESLIN WILL GET TO PLAY SCRUMMIE WHEN EDDIE JONES ARRIVES.
DHL Western Province team: Cheslin Kolbe, Dillyn Leyds, Johnny Kotze, Jaco Taute, Seabelo Senatla, Demetri Catrakilis, Nic Groom, Nizaam Carr (captain), Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Rynhardt Elstadt, Ruan Botha, Jean Kleyn, Wilco Louw, Bongi Mbonambi, Oli Kebble. Replacements: Scarra Ntubeni, Alistair Vermaak, Chris van Zyl, Chris Cloete, Jano Vermaak, Kurt Coleman, Huw Jones.
