DHL Western Province retained their unbeaten status in the 2014 Absa Currie Cup, thanks to Friday night’s 49-14 win over the EP Kings at DHL Newlands – much to the delight of coach Allister Coetzee.
Province, the only unbeaten team remaining in the competition, scored a whopping seven tries on the night – whilst conceding just two five-pointers in each half.
“I was a bit nervous before the game because the match could be a perilous banana-peel type of occasion,” Coetzee told www.wprugby.com.
“They are bottom of the log but they are playing well and they have run sides close in previous games. It was therefore pleasing to come away with a win and, also, a bonus point. Our physical intensity was right up there.
“We got out the blocks quickly with three quick tries and I think we surprised them with that,” added Coetzee. “Our set-piece, too, operated well and I was pleased with that (too).”
The DHL WP boss made four changes to the team this week, one being injury-enforced (as Seabelo Senatla missed out with an ankle strain), and he praised the players coming in – most notably No.5 lock Ruan Botha who won the official Man of the Match Award in his first Currie Cup start for the Blue & White hoops.
“I was pleased with the performances of players who were brought into the side for rotation purposes. We are approaching a point where all the players will be match sharp,” said Coetzee.
“We don’t want (to put) on a player when there are injuries only to find out that the replacements are not at the same level as the regulars.”
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Two players, scrumhalf Nic Groom and fullback Cheslin Kolbe, picked up injuries against the Kings and Coetzee said: “We had a bit of a scare with Cheslin’s knee (he hyper-extended it) and we will know more in the next 24-48 hours. Nic took a knock to his shoulder late in the game, but, there too, we will have to see.
“It’s too early to say if the injuries are serious, but we will give another update on them on Monday afternoon once they’ve both seen the team doctor and been assessed properly.”
However, Coetzee revealed that hooker Scarra Ntubeni – who has not featured since breaking his foot in a Super Rugby game back in May, before also re-injuring his calf muscle – would be back in the selection mix.
Coetzee concluded: “Scarra will be back for the Lions and he brings a physical presence to our game.
“He may start off on the bench, but we’ve done well by easing returning players back into the game rather than starting off with them.”
DHL WP, who lead the Absa Currie Cup log by five points over the second-placed Pumas, will travel to Johannesburg to take on the third-placed Xerox Golden Lions on Saturday (kick-off 17h05).
