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Sean Everitt has challenged Edinburgh to ensure “a special day” for WP Nel as the veteran Scotland prop returns to where it all began to make his 200th appearance for the club on Saturday.
The South Africa-born 37-year-old will hit the landmark against Stormers in Cape Town’s DHL Stadium, the same 55,000-capacity arena in which his professional career started with Western Province in 2008.
Nel, who moved to the Scottish capital in 2012, will become only the third player in Edinburgh’s history to enter the 200 club, following in the footsteps of Allan Jacobsen and Chris Paterson.
“We’re delighted to see WP hit 200 appearances for the club,” head coach Everitt told the Edinburgh website.
“He’s an Edinburgh legend and it’ll be an extremely proud moment for him and his family when he takes to the pitch at DHL Stadium tomorrow evening.
“This team doesn’t need any added motivation, but I’ve got no doubt they’ll be playing with a bit of extra fire to make it a special day for WP.”
Saturday’s match will also be a momentous occasion for 23-year-old academy graduate Jake Henry, who will make his professional debut on the wing.
Sam Skinner and Ben Healy both start after their involvement in Scotland’s Six Nations campaign, but other internationals like Jamie Ritchie, Grant Gilchrist, Ali Price, Duhan van der Merwe and Pierre Schoeman have been given the weekend off.
Lock Jamie Hodgson returns to the side for the first time since December following injury, while back-rower Ben Muncaster makes his first start of the season.
Everitt added: “It’s brilliant to welcome back experienced, quality players like Sam and Ben (Healy), who are both real leaders for us on the park.
“We’re also very excited to see Jake make his professional debut for the club. He has worked extremely hard to get back from injury and he really does deserve this opportunity.
“The boys have worked tirelessly since arriving in Cape Town at the start of the week and we’re raring to go for what is always a massive challenge at DHL Stadium.”
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