DHL Western Province coach Allister Coetzee has two aims in the 2013 Absa Currie Cup – for his team to successfully defend their title and to develop more depth in the union in the process.
Hooker Scarra Ntubeni and inside centre Damian de Allende – not to mention Deon Fourie’s outstanding performances at flank – were some ‘new’ young names that emerged from last year’s Absa Currie Cup campaign and coach Coetzee is hoping for the same results in 2013.
Of course, whilst development within the WP squad – and thereby, the DHL Stormers – is crucial, the loss of players like Andries Bekker, Don Armand, Dewaldt Duvenage, Bryan and Joe Pietersen to overseas clubs will force Coetzee’s hand somewhat when it comes to blooding new faces.
The WP coach, however, has welcomed the opportunity to blood new talent and he explained: “We played the Bulls (in our final Super Rugby game) without Joe Pietersen, Andries Bekker, Tiaan Liebenberg, Dewaldt Duvenage and Peter Grant, so I have confidence in the other players as they have shown they can play at a high level.
“I’m pleased with the development of our depth and players coming through and I’d like to see further development in the Currie Cup,” he added.
Of the above-mentioned players, hooker Liebenberg is, of course, not going anywhere.
In fact, the powerful Springbok continues to make a full recovery from a back injury which ruled him out of the final few weeks of Super Rugby action and Coetzee revealed: “Tiaan is making great progress. He will join full training next week and is two/three weeks away from being up for selection (again).”
In other injury news, meanwhile, Springbok loose forwards Duane Vermeulen (knee) and Siya Kolisi (ankle) have both recovered from their respective injuries and took semi contact on Wednesday. Towering lock Eben Etzebeth had an in-grown toenail removed on Monday, which saw him miss training on Tuesday and Wednesday, but was expected to return to training on Thursday.
Powerful flanks Rynhardt Elstadt (knee) and Michael Rhodes (ankle) are both back to full fitness, after suffering injuries on the DHL Stormers’ tour of Australasia in May. Elstadt recovered sufficiently to play a part in the Stormers’ final two Super Rugby games of the season, whilst Rhodes will also be available for selection in next weekend’s Currie Cup opener.
It remains to be seen if Kolisi or Vermeulen will, in fact, play Currie Cup rugby – as they are both likely to be part of Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer’s plans during The Castle Rugby Championship – but the presence of someone like Fourie, the captain elect in 2013, means that DHL WP will be in safe hands.
Speaking about the inspirational Fourie’s success in the No.6 shirt, not to mention his influence on those around him, Coetzee enthused: “His understanding of the laws as an openside and (his) decision-making are unbelievable.
“It’s not just the stealing, the turnovers he creates, but his work-rate. The amount of ball-carries and the amount of rucks he hits is phenomenal. Another attribute to have as an openside flank is speed and Deon is very quick.
“He’s also a fantastic leader,” added Coetzee. “He doesn’t talk much but when he does the players listen. When there’s a problem he addresses it and he has a solution – that’s what makes him a good leader.”
It’s the presence of someone like Fourie which will allow younger players to shine once again, with lock Gerbrandt Grobler and No.8 Nizaam Carr – up front – heading the queue when it comes to benefiting from a full season of Absa Currie Cup rugby.
“Nizaam Carr’s development has been really good,” said Coetzee, “I’m very pleased with where he is as a player and the combination of him, Rynhardt (Elstadt) and Deon (Fourie) has quite a good balance.”
Out wide, meanwhile, centre Pat Howard and fullback Cheslin Kolbe – both of whom are still Under-21 – could find themselves in contention for Currie Cup places, according to Coetzee, along with Maties wing/fullback Ryan Nell.
* Match tickets are available for next Saturday’s (August 10) North-South Absa Currie Cup opener at DHL Newlands (kick-off 17h05).
Tickets can be purchased online, by clicking here, from Postnet Outlets or the Newlands Box Office (from next Tuesday onwards).
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.