Western Province have received a timely boost ahead of Friday night’s Currie Cup basement battle against the Sharks at Kings Park.

Paul de Villiers – who was one of the young standouts in the Stormers’ last Vodacom URC campaign – has been released from pre-season training to bolster the Province loose trio as cover for injured captain Zain Davids.

He’ll join Junior Springbok captain Riley Norton and Louw Nel in the back row.

Another Junior Bok, Kyle Smith, returns at flyhalf after missing two rounds of the competition through injury. He replaces Jurie Mathee who drops out of the match 23 altogether. Smith links up with Maties Varsity Cup star Ezekiel Ngobeni in a new-look halfback pairing.

Lock Gary Porter will captain the side for a second consecutive match.

MORE: Norton cracks Stormers nod

Coach Labeeb Levy says after falling just short in Bloemfontein last week, his side is focused on delivering a full 80-minute performance in Durban.

“We have seen some improvements in standards as we get more cohesion as a unit, but it has been frustrating not to get the results that we have been aiming for. There are a few rotations this week again and we are expecting a player of Paul’s quality to make an impact on both sides of the ball.”

“It will be another big challenge on Friday night, but this team is up for it and motivated to deliver.”

HARRIS: WP forwards hold key in Durban dogfight

WESTERN PROVINCE – 15 Tristan Leyds, 14 Jared Africa, 13 Gino Cupido, 12 Damian Markus, 11 Luke Burger, 10 Kyle Smith, 9 Ezekiel Ngobeni, 8 Louw Nel, 7 Riley Norton, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Gary Porter (captain), 4 Alex Groves, 3 Zachary Porthen, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Cabous Eloff.
Bench: 16 Luca Bakkes, 17 Oliver Reid, 18 Herman Lubbe, 19 Enos Ndiao, 20 De Wet Marais, 21 Asad Moos, 22 Ronald Brown, 23 Brendan Venter.

Our team for the Carling Currie Cup coastal clash in Durban on Friday night.

📢 Team announcement https://t.co/kUt4OiWKwR#SHAvWP #wpjoulekkerding pic.twitter.com/4xktsowbZa

— WP RUGBY (@WP_RUGBY) August 21, 2025

Photo: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images