Allister Coetzee is hoping for an accurate performance from his team, as DHL Western Province go in search of a victory on Saturday which would secure them a home Absa Currie Cup semifinal.
Province, the only unbeaten team in the tournament, will play their final home league game of 2013 this weekend against a dangerous MTN Golden Lions outfit. The last time these two teams met they played to a thrilling 31-31 draw in Johannesburg – after DHL WP led 25-10 at half-time – but there is a lot more at stake at DHL Newlands on Saturday. The Lions, of course, would like to remain in the semifinal hunt, whilst WP know that a seventh victory of the season would give them a home semifinal – a week before the final round of league matches. The DHL WP boss told www.wprugby.com: “It's going to be a tough match, but from now going into the rest of the competition it is about having a Test-match attitude. The intensity should be right up there, the accuracy should be right up there and I have spoken about Super Rugby standards.
“We owe it to ourselves and our fans here to put two halves together and play for 80 minutes. If you look at the way we have come through in this Absa Currie Cup we have shown signs that we can be accurate for longer and that is what I am hoping to see this weekend.”
Looking specifically at the challenge of facing the Lions, Coetzee added: “We have spoken about the Lions' attacking mindset, so you have got to keep it structured and tidy, therefore the accuracy is important. When you give them the ball on a platter from unstructured play they will hurt any team. “When you become sloppy and give turnover balls to them with their attacking mindset that is what gives them that little kick. So it's really important that we look after and respect the ball this weekend.” Saturday's match will get underway at 14h00, with the Springboks playing their Rugby Championship finale in Johannesburg at 17h00, and when asked about the early-afternoon kick-off Coetzee quipped: “I have never had a pre-match meal at nine o'clock, it's something different!” However, the WP boss added: “We have to adapt and for us we are solely focused on getting the result this weekend.” Coetzee on Wednesday announced a Province line-up showing four changes – one of them positional – from the side that defeated the Toyota Free State Cheetahs by 29-27 in dramatic circumstances last Friday. One of those changes will see 2012 Currie Cup-winning flyhalf Demetri Catrakilis make his first start of the 2013 season, with Kurt Coleman – who has been in great form this season – reverting to the bench. “Kurt has played superbly throughout the Currie Cup – but Demetri has come off the bench twice in a row, so it's an opportune time for him to start (now),” explained Coetzee. “Demetri, like Kurt before him, took control last Friday. That is what a No.10 must do – take control and give direction to the team. If you look at the stats Kurt is a 85% goalkicker and I expect Demetri to be at that same level. We all know his capabilities and that's what we are looking for – (for) him to take control, give direction and knock the penalties over. “I think Kurt has been good under pressure this year,
but Demetri showed in the last ten minutes of the game against the Cheetahs that he is really an established and accomplished flyhalf under pressure, so that's a reason that you have to start him and give him an opportunity and see how it goes.” Springbok star Schalk Burger will remain on the bench this week, however, as the experienced loose forward continues his step-by-step comeback from a long lay-off. He will, once again, be joined amongst the replacements by WP Under-21 captain Josh Katzen, who has impressed in his two cameos off the bench thus far in 2013. Coach Coetzee said: “It was always part of the plan (with his comeback) to make sure that Schalla doesn't really do things too early and too much at a time. I don't think there is any reason to rush him – this is all part of the plan. “Schalk will definitely cover (the) No.7 and No.8 positions, and possibly (also) lock in the last ten minutes. But Josh (Katzen) is an openside flank only.” * There will be two early-morning curtain-raisers at DHL Newlands on Saturday – the WP Under-19s will be in action against the Lions U19s in a crucial clash at 09h45 and the table-topping WP Under-21s will take on the Lions U21s at 11h45. ** Match tickets for Saturday can be purchased online, by clicking here, from Postnet Outlets or the Newlands Box Office. Tickets are now also available from selected SPAR stores in the Western Cape. (Ask in-store for details!)
Prices start at just R35 (for standing), with seating tickets priced from R65 to
R95. Scholars tickets can be purchased directly from the WP Rugby offices.
