DHL Western Province coach Allister Coetzee has spoken about using the Absa Currie Cup tournament as a development tool for youngsters and he is certainly holding firm on that promise.
Six Under-21 players will form part of the DHL Western Province matchday squad at DHL Newlands tomorrow evening – against GWK Griquas (kick-off 19h10) – two in the starting team and four on the bench.
The new faces in the team are loose forwards Josh Katzen and
Rayn Smid – both locally bred and schooled Capetonians – joining fellow Under-21 players, Michael Willemse, Gerbrandt Grobler and Steven Kitshoff.
Yes, Steven Kitshoff – the selfsame Currie Cup-winning prop who is already in his third season of senior rugby, despite having turned 21 this year.
“It’s another case of young players getting an opportunity at Currie Cup level and I’m really looking forward to see how those youngsters go,” said Coetzee about Katzen and Smid after announcing his team earlier this week.
“Both Josh Katzen and Rayn Smid have played very well for the Under-21 side and with the Under-21s being off this weekend, it gives me an opportunity to look at these two players.”
Katzen is the current WP Under-21 captain and has led his side to the top of the log, with eight wins in nine matches so far in the 2013 Provincial Under-21 Championship. Last year, Katzen was voted as the union’s Most Promising U21 Player.
Smid, meanwhile, played nine matches for WP in the 2013 Vodacom Cup, having represented his province at Under-16, Under-18, Under-19 and Under-21 level since 2008.
Both Katzen and Smid have also played Varsity Cup rugby for UCT and when quizzed about their roles this weekend, Coetzee explained: “Josh is obviously an openside flank who plays hard and low to the ground. You have to match what Griquas bring and that’s how we selected (this team).
“There will be a battle at the breakdown – they have Marnus Schoeman and Carel Greeff, and Howard Mnisi is also hard on the ground. We have Rohan Kitshoff who plays that role, towards the ball, and Josh is similar. Rayn is a line-out specialist and (is) also a good ball-carrier, so he could also play No.7 and play that role for us.”
The average age of the DHL WP starting XV for the weekend is just 23.6 per player, with the bench boasting a lower average age of just 22. Overall, the WP matchday squad’s average age is a paltry 23.2 (per player).
The baby of the WP team at present is flying winger Cheslin Kolbe – the August Absa Currie Cup Player of the Month. The grand old man of the team – don’t remind him! – is fellow back three member Gio Aplon, who turns 31 in October.
Take Aplon and experienced prop Brok Harris (28) out of the age equation and the WP squad’s age average drops to just 22.7.
Coetzee told www.wprugby.com: “Like I’ve said on numerous occasions (before), we, at WP, have two goals during the Absa Currie Cup – to attempt to win the tournament and to develop new talent in the process.
“Just this season we have blooded new (young) faces like Michael Willemse, Gerbrandt Grobler, Tazz Fuzani, Ryan Nell, Tim Swiel and Cheslin Kolbe. Now, this weekend, guys like Josh and Rayn could get an opportunity too.
“Last year a player like Damian de Allende grabbed his chances in the Absa Currie Cup and went to play Vodacom Super Rugby this season. It’s a great opportunity and the players know that – as do us coaches – and it can only benefit WP Rugby on the whole.”
Who are DHL WP’s ‘Senior’ Under-21 players?
Michael Willemse
Position: Hooker
Date of birth: February 14, 1993
High School attended: Grey PE
Absa Currie Cup appearances: 2
This week: On the bench
Steven Kitshoff
Position: Loosehead prop
Date of birth: February 10, 1992
High School attended: Paul Roos Gymnasium
Absa Currie Cup appearances: 26
This week: Starting loosehead prop
Gerbrandt Grobler
Position: Lock
Date of birth: 06 February 1992
High School attended: Afrikaans High School (Affies)
Absa Currie Cup appearances: 6
This week: On the bench
Josh Katzen
Position: Openside flank
Date of birth: June 7, 1992
High School attended: Wynberg Boys’ High
Absa Currie Cup appearances: On debut
This week: On the bench
Rayn Smid
Position: Loose forward
Date of birth: March 26, 1992
High School attended: Rondebosch Boys’ High
Absa Currie Cup appearances: On debut
This week: On the bench
Cheslin Kolbe
Position: Wing/fullback
Date of birth: October 28, 1993
High School attended: Brackenfell
Absa Currie Cup appearances: 6 (2 tries)
This week: Starting left-wing