Springbok centre Juan de Jongh is the only major injury worry for DHL Western Province ahead of Saturday’s Absa Currie Cup semifinal against the MTN Golden Lions.
DHL WP qualified for a home final after beating the Sharks by 17-13 in a rain-soaked Durban last weekend.642-617 dumps
However, centre De Jongh – a late withdrawal from last week’s match with a hamstring injury – could also miss this Saturday’s (kick-off 14h30) Last Four outing against the Men from Johannesburg.
“At this point in time Juan’s still 50/50,” Coetzee told www.wprugby.com.
“He did some individual testing on Monday and we’ll put him through some more today (Tuesday). By Wednesday we’ll have a good indication as to how he is. We’ll take as much time as possible to make the decision.”
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Lock De Kock Steenkamp, Currie Cup skipper Deon Fourie and No.8 Duane Vermeulen sat out Monday’s training session due to “bumps and bruises”, but they will all be available for semifinal selection.
Utility forward Rynhardt Elstadt is back to full fitness and took part in full training on Monday – another boost for the defending champions.
Speaking about the welfare of his players at this late stage of the season, Coetzee said: “It’s that time of the season where the workload has taken its toll and you don’t want players to train and then come Saturday they’re tired.
“You want them fresh on Saturday and that’s the challenge for us this week, to make sure the players are able to play at the same intensity they played with last weekend and even better.”
If De Jongh is ruled out, one would expect national captain Jean de Villiers to slot into the DHL WP midfield – adding yet another leader to the Province team, after he made his Currie Cup return via the bench last week.
Coetzee, however, was full of praise for Deon Fourie who has, once again, led the team with aplomb – having skippered the side to Absa Currie Cup glory in 2012.
“We don’t see it as a conundrum but a bonus that we have the national captain in our side as well,” he said.
“One must decide on the team firstly,” explained Coetzee. “Deon has earned his place in the team and has led the team really well up to now.
“We have sufficient leaders in our squad, which is so needed in play-off matches, players like Schalk Burger, Duane Vermeulen and Jean to help Deon. What was pleasing for me was how our Springboks settled into the team and came up with big performances. They really stood up for us.”
This weekend, however, is whole new ball-game for all four remaining teams in the 2013 Absa Currie Cup, with Coetzee revealing: “The most important game for us is this weekend’s game.
“Finishing top of the log doesn’t mean that you play in the final, what it implies is that we’ve done the hard work, but this weekend is the most important one for us.”
The Lions, according to Coetzee, will be a tough nut to crack – even at DHL Newlands and even with the extra motivation of perhaps hosting a final the following week.
“I have huge respect for the Lions and for the way they can attack and hold onto the ball,” he said. “They can score points easily, so we have to be accurate, play within our systems and make sure we produce the best performance of the season.”640-816
