Flyhalf Peter Grant returns to the Western Province starting line-up to face the Golden Lions in Saturday's Currie Cup encounter in Johannesburg.

Grant was rested for the last weekend's local derby against the Boland Cavaliers with young Brumbies pivot Matt Toomua stepping in for his first start for the Cape side.

Several other first-choice players who were rested in last week's fixture have been included in the run-on XV this week. Juan de Jongh (centre), Anton van Zyl (lock), Wicus Blaauw (prop) and Duane Vermeulen (flank) have all been called up for what will be Province's strongest available line-up.

In-form wing Gio Aplon returns from injury and will start on the bench. Province coach Allister Coetzee said Aplon would be best off on the bench as he'll need time to get back into action.

Coetzee also said Grant's experience and his ability on defence makes him an excellent choice in the pivot position. Province have already secured a home semifinal berth but they have an excellent chance of topping the log after this week's round of Currie Cup league matches.

"Peter?s a Springbok and has played in some tight games," Coetzee told reporters on Wednesday.

"His experience and defence will be invaluable in a game like this. We're taking this match very seriously. We want to make sure that we keep our winning momentum."

Victory plus a bonus point for Province will almost certainly guarantee them the top position, even if the Sharks bag five points from their clash against Griquas in Kimberley.

If, however, Province beat the Lions without collecting a bonus points and the Sharks come away with five points, the Durban outfit will finish as logleaders.

Fortunately for Province by the time the game kicks off in Johannesburg they will know exactly what is required to take the top spot as all the other fixtures would have been completed by then.

Coetzee underlined the value of the Currie Cup comeptition with the final weekend of league action ultimately deciding the make-up of the playoffs.

"There's been lots of question marks over the Currie Cup but to go to the last round to decide the final make-up of the semi-finals says lot about the competition.

"I don't think one should ever doubt the value of Currie Cup competition."

Western Province: 15 Joe Pietersen, 14 Tonderai Chavhanga, 13 Frikkie Welsh, 12 Juan de Jongh, 11 Sireli Naqelevuki, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Ricky Januarie, 8 Luke Watson (captain), 7 Duane Vermeulen, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Anton van Zyl, 3 JC Kritzinger, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 Wicus Blaauw.

Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 JD Moller, 18 De Kock Steenkamp, 19 Pieter Louw, 20 Dewaldt Duvenage, 21 Matt Toomua, 22 Gio Aplon

Date: Saturday, October 10 Venue: Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg Kick-off: 17.05 (15.05 GMT) Referee: Marius Jonker Assistant referees: Ben Crouse, Madel Herselman TMO: Michael Cupido