Western Province coach Allister Coetzee has made eight changes for Saturday's Cape derby against neighbours, the Boland Cavaliers at Newlands.

Most of the changes were expected as Coetzee decided earlier this week that several regulars should be rested.

Brumbies flyhalf Matt Toomua will get his first start after joining the Cape side last week while Bok scrumhalf Ricky Januarie has also been included in the run-on XV, after spending the past few weeks on the bench.

Maties centre Paul Bosch replaces Juan de Jongh in the midfield while Sireli Naqelevuki comes in for the injured Gio Aplon on the wing. Up front Springbok lock Andries Bekker, who has been nursing an injury over the past five weeks, makes a welcome return ahead of the playoffs while flank Pieter Louw, props JC Kritzinger and JD Moller have all been handed starts.

"It's important to keep all the players fresh and sharp as the season draws to a close and as we get closer to the semifinals," Coetzee told reporters on Wednesday.

"However, our focus isn't the semifinals but for us to pick up a win against Boland this weekend and that we still execute well."

Coetzee said he expected some rustiness at the start of the match because several players have been on the sidelines in recent weeks for a variety of reasons.

"If you start with a couple of new guys there will be a few cobwebs but you don't win the competition with just 15 or 22 players," he explained.

"It's a good squad that we have and it's rewarding to see these guys starting."

Another Bok who has seen very little gametime, both with the Boks and WP, is Januarie. Coetzee hinted that Januarie is no longer regarded as the premier No.9 for Province and he will have to fight for a regular starting spot as they head towards the playoffs.

"Sometimes it's not a bad thing to come from the bench. Maybe it's a time for him to reflect as an individual and to understand why the other players were selected ahead of him, " the Province boss said.

"We still rate Ricky highly and we expect him to take up the challenge and rivalry with Dewald Duvenage and come up with one of his best performances."

Western Province: 15 Joe Pietersen, 14 Tonderai Chavhanga, 13 Frikkie Welsh, 12 Paul Bosch, 11 Sireli Naqelevuki, 10 Matt Toomua, 9 Ricky Januarie, 8 Luke Watson (captain), 7 Pieter Louw, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 De Kock Steenkamp, 3 JC Kritzinger, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 JD Moller.
Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Brok Harris, 18 Anton van Zyl, 19 Duane Vermeulen, 20 Bolla Conradie, 21 Conrad Hoffmann, 22 Juan de Jongh

Date: Saturday. October 3
Venue: Newlands Rugby Stadium, Cape Town
Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT)
Referee: Sindile Mayende
Assistant referees: Jason Jaftha, Marc van Zyl
TMO: Gerrie Coetzee

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