Cape Town - Western Province forward JD Schickerling is happy to help out at flank, but has no plans to emulate Springbok star Pieter-Steph du Toit.

The 2.03m Schickerling, who normally plays lock, has helped out in the No 7 for Western Province in this year's Currie Cup, with coach John Dobson preferring captain Chris van Zyl and Salmaan Moerat in the second row.

Du Toit, a Stormers team-mate of Schickerling, has successfully converted from lock to flank in recent seasons and is a current star in the Springbok No 7 jumper.

However, Schickerling told Netwerk24: "If the need is there for me to play flank then I'll do it, but I still view lock as my best position."

The 24-year-old added that while he enjoys the "freedom" and "loose nature" of playing flank, it remains a challenge.

"One of the big things is that I have to defend more in the wider channels. At lock I was used to doing it in midfield. The other thing is that I have more interaction with the backline players and I work closer together with them at set-piece time," Schickerling said.

Schickerling is again expected to wear WP's No 7 jersey when they tackle the Pumas at Newlands on Friday.

His flank partner is likely to be Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, who is expected to make his long-awaited return from a knee injury.

WP will name their team on Wednesday, with Friday's match scheduled for 15:00.