It’s almost a case of all hands on deck for DHL Western Province head coach John Dobson ahead of Friday night’s Absa Currie Cup semifinal clash against the Vodacom Blue Bulls in Pretoria (kick-off 19h10).
Flanker Rynhardt Elstadt, scrumhalf Jano Vermaak, centre Johnny Kotze, winger Seabelo Senatla and fullback Cheslin Kolbe are all back in the selection mix after missing their team’s 45-14 win over the EP Kings last Friday.
The DHL WP team, to face the Bulls in Pretoria on Friday evening, will be announced on Tuesday afternoon.
The full DHL Western Province injury report (12/10/15):
– Elstadt is back and available for selection after missing the past few weeks with a thigh/quad injury.
– Vermaak (groin), Kotze (hamstring), Senatla (rest) and Kolbe (bone bruising – ankle) are all back after sitting out the Kings game.
– Prop Oli Kebble – the only injury doubt from last weekend – trained today and looks set to be available for Friday.
– Hooker Scarra Ntubeni and flanker Chris Cloete (both calf muscles) are still not available for selection.
DHL WESTERN PROVINCE QUOTES:
HEAD COACH JOHN DOBSON:
On the return of Rynhardt Elstadt:
“To have him back is really big for us – what he’s done in the past, especially from a physical point of view, is huge.
“Also, we have a young team – the youngest in the competition – so having him back, and also Juan de Jongh, who has not played against the Bulls this year, is a big boost in terms of our experience.”
On the form and fitness of his fit-again players:
“We’ve talked about it. Rynhardt has a massive engine, so I am not worried a guy like him, but if the Currie Cup means anything to us we need to punch through those notoriously tough first twenty minutes (on the Highveld).”
CAPTAIN JUAN DE JONGH ON HIS OWN FORM AND FITNESS:
“It’s important for me to be at 100%, it’s no good for the team if I am not. But I feel good, I’ve had 80-90 minutes now and I feel sharp, which is what’s needed in my new position (at No.12).
“It’s a different position (from No.13) and it’s important for me to direct the play from the No.12 channel and it’s something I’m enjoying.”
