WP bolstered for 'tough' game

by Gavin Rich 03/08/2010, 07:41 [supersport]

Western Province have reached a phase of the season that can be described as considerably tougher than what has gone before, so it will be considered excellent timing for them that three stalwarts are expected to return this weekend.

WP travel to Kimberley to play Griquas at a venue where the hosts are hard to beat and have been unbeaten so far this season at the start of a five match sequence that also includes a home match against the Bulls the following week, a trip to Durban to play the dangerous Sharks before going straight into the second round with matches against the Cheetahs (home) and Lions (away).

It is a five-week sequence that will make or break WP’s impressive challenge, so coach Allister Coetzee was understandably pleased after Monday’s training session that Francois Louw has joined fellow Springboks Gio Aplon and Juan de Jongh in the selection mix. And first choice scrumhalf is also back, as is loosehead prop Wicus Blaauw.

Back-up hooker Deon Fourie also returns after taking a blow to the head against the Leopards, while lock De Kock Steenkamp is making his way back after an absence forced by a knee ligament injury. The only setback for Province was the confirmation that JC Kritzinger, the back-up utility prop, will be out for two to four weeks with a hamstring injury.

“It’s really good to have all those guys back, particularly as Griquas have been tough opponents for us in Kimberley over the past two seasons,” said Coetzee.

“We lost to a last-minute penalty in 2008 and we again lost by one point last year, so we are eager not to make the same mistake again. We have a lot of respect for Griquas, who are strong in most areas and have been playing well this season. They also have a couple of former WP players that will add to their motivation to beat us.”

Coetzee said that the standard of coaching in the smaller unions had improved considerably over the years, with the Pumas, beaten 54-13 by WP last week in Cape Town, being an example of a team that you have to work hard against to score tries.

“The teams are preparing well, they are all doing a lot of analysis of their opponents, and each week you get hit with something you might not have expected. You have to work harder to score tries against teams like the Pumas than you might have had to in the past, so I was pleased with our seven tries against them last week.

“But Griquas are a step up, and Dawie Theron has done a great job over the past few seasons. They have stated their intention of ending the season unbeaten at home, so there is no question we will be underestimating them. This is a big game for us, Griquas are in a strong position on the log, just like we are.”

Coetzee said that he was looking forward to seeing how Louw, who returns to training on Tuesday after missing Monday’s practice with flu, will combine with namesake Pieter Louw and impressive No 8 Duane Vermeulen in Kimberley.

This means young Rynhardt Elstadt will miss out on the Griquas game after playing in the previous four games, but like the other young players at WP, he remains a big part of the Province plans. Also a big part of the WP plans is Nick Koster. The former schoolboy sensation has been making his way back into rugby through the WP under-21 side, but is now fast regaining his confidence and conditioning.

“I think Nick is ready to play Currie Cup rugby again and he will soon be in the selection mix,” said Coetzee.

The coach did not say whether Koster would be on the bench in Kimberley, but he does present Coetzee with an interesting dilemma over where to play him when he does make his reappearance at senior level. He is specialising again at No 8, but Vermeulen is probably unlucky not to be the Springbok No 8, so if Koster plays in the foreseeable future, it might have to be at flank.

And then he would have to challenge the hard-working Louw duo (no relation to each other), not to mention Schalk Burger when he returns for a possible play-off game and next year’s Super 15.