The last time DHL Western Province played in Kimberley – in the 2012 Vodacom Cup Final back in May – the Men in Blue & White claimed a famous victory. On Saturday they will return to the Big Hole for an Absa Currie Cup assignment – a ‘final’ in itself.
In May, a converted try on the stroke of fulltime handed DHL WP an historic 20-18 victory and, according to DHL WP head coach Allister Coetzee, the visitors are bracing themselves for a similarly tough encounter against GWK Griquas this weekend (kick-off 14h30).
“It’s almost as if you’re always playing a final in Kimberley – it will always be tough there… we’re expecting a very, very hard game on Saturday,” said Coetzee shortly after announcing his team on Tuesday afternoon.
“Yes, we will take confidence from that Vodacom Cup win but this is a proper Currie Cup clash. This is a Griquas side with Super Rugby and (experienced) Currie Cup players – they’ve got enough depth in every position with guys like Willie le Roux, Rocco Jansen, Francois Brummer – to name just a few.
“We’re expecting more intensity than then [the final], but that experience that some of the players have (from the Vodacom Cup Final) will put us in good stead.”
One man who will be more excited than most come Saturday is powerful No 8 Duane Vermeulen – who is back in the mix for the first time since picking up a knee injury against the Reds back in April.
“We want Duane to play the same role that he has as at No 8 for us before, and even though we did use him a bit as a blindside flank in Super Rugby, we believe he offers a lot as a No 8,” explained Coetzee, who wants a maximum of 40 minutes from Vermeulen “as he eases his way back”.
“We want him to be able to steady the scrum from the base, and we also want him to help lay a line-out platform from No 8,” added the DHL WP boss. “But the most important thing is just that he is back on the pitch again, and I’m really excited about that.”
Whilst Vermeulen has played over 50 Super Rugby matches for the DHL Stormers, and another 30 Absa Currie Cup matches for DHL Western Province, spare a thought for debutant speedster Ederies Arendse – who will be starting in the No 11 jersey, with Gio Aplon taking over at fullback in the injury-enforced absence of Joe Pietersen.
Arendse, from the SK Walmers club, will be joined by three other DHL WP Absa Currie Cup debutants; lock Wilhelm van der Sluys, flyhalf Kurt Coleman and centre/wing Damian de Allende, all of whom tasted success in Kimberley with the Vodacom Cup team back in May.
Said Coetzee: “We’re one of the few unions who bring club players through. A guy like Ederies has come through the Vodacom Cup and he’s waited for his chance.
“He slotted in well in the Vodacom Cup, he’s a willing player and a good finisher… I hope he gets a chance to show those (finishing) skills on Saturday.
“He’s progressed really well since joining us at training and this is a great opportunity to show other club players out there that if you work hard and get into the set-up and you do your job on the field you can get your chance to play for DHL Western Province.”
