It’s been a tough few weeks for DHL Western Province, but head coach Allister Coetzee and his team remain as determined as ever to bounce back in the Absa Currie Cup.

DHL WP suffered a last-gasp 23-26 loss to the MTN Golden Lions on Saturday – a penalty in the fourth minute of injury-time condeming the visitors to the defeat, that after leading 10-0 early in the first half.

“It’s frustrating to play so well and to lose again – similar, in many ways, to the Sharks match at the start of the season,” said Coetzee.

“We went into an early lead but our discipline and individual errors cost us. We did well to come back and we could’ve won… then we could’ve drawn and then we ended up losing, so, clearly, the luck is not on our side at the moment! But we will keep knocking and learn from our errors – we remain determined to bounce back from these setbacks.

“We’re back at home this coming weekend (against the Bulls) and we have seven games left this season, so we have a chance to put things right and stay in touch for a semifinal place.”

Making matters worse for DHL WP was the news that Springbok squad member Siya Kolisi would miss the remainder of the Absa Currie Cup season with a broken thumb.

Coetzee admitted: “Siya’s injury is the only fresh concern from the weekend and it’s a very big loss for us.”

Looking ahead to this Saturday, which will see the Blue & White hoops host the Vodacom Blue Bulls at DHL Newlands (kick-off 19h10), Coetzee remained confident of putting things right.

“We’ve seen some interesting results across the Currie Cup,” he pointed out, referring to the fact that DHL WP – in fifth place on the Absa Currie Cup log – trail the table-topping Lions by just three points.

“All teams have lost at least once this season and we’re still in touch with the team on top [the Lions] after three rounds. It’s all about bouncing back from these setbacks – both results and injuries – and we intend to do so this weekend.”