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DHL WP braced for physical Griquas

PUBLISHED: August 20, 2013


DHL Western Province will head to Kimberley this weekend, to take on GWK Griquas, and coach Allister Coetzee is bracing for a physical onslaught in their first away trip of the 2013 Absa Currie Cup season.

Griquas are always a tough nut to crack in the Currie Cup – especially in Kimberley – and they will test DHL WP on Saturday (kick-off 15h00), according to the coach.

“You need an all-round performance to beat Griquas in Kimberley,” said Coetzee.

“They’re quite a big, physical side. You can’t think because the conditions are dry you’re going to play from side to side there, if you’re not careful you could get bullied.”

Province, the defending Currie Cup champions, showed great guts and commitment as they picked up their first win of 2013 over the Toyota Free State Cheetahs this past weekend, having drawn with the Vodacom Blue Bulls in Round One.

Griquas, meanwhile, picked up a losing bonus point in their away loss to the Blue Bulls on Saturday – having, the week before, beaten the Sharks in Durban.

Said Coetzee: “We know it’s going to be one massive battle in Kimberley.

“We’ve got to keep our approach the same. It’s got to be physical and direct. It’s going to be a battle at the gainline, so it’s important that we get dominance and earn the right to take it wide,” he added.

“For us it’s about building momentum and not letting slip the things that we’ve improved on last week. That’s what consistency is about and that’s what you need in this competition whether you’re (at) home or away from home.”

* CLICK HERE for injury news ahead of the weekend.