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DHL WP character pleases coach Coetzee

PUBLISHED: August 18, 2012


DHL Western Province coach Allister Coetzee praised his team’s character in their come-from-behind 25-20 Absa Currie Cup triumph over the GWK Griquas in Kimberley on Saturday.

After conceding two tries to trail 0-12 after thirteen minutes, DHL WP showed great resilience to catch up to, and eventually, overhaul their opponents at GWK Park.

A try just before halftime, by debutant Ederies Arendse, narrowed the gap to 7-12 at the break, before second-half tries by JP du Plessis and Steven Kitshoff, coupled with Demetri Catrakilis’s accurate boot, helped the Men in Blue & White to a crucial victory.

“We didn’t have the best of starts,” admitted Coetzee, “the conditions didn’t help, there was a big wind out there and those two early tries hurt us.

“I said so during the week, Kimberley is not an easy place to play, so we were worried at that point. But the guys got back into the game shortly before halftime, in those last ten minutes, and Ederies Arendse’s try was crucial going into the break.

“I thought the guys showed plenty of character out there. There’s still a lot of work to be done, and I had some harsh words for the team at halftime, but we’ll take the win and keep working hard.

“We had four new guys in the team,” added the DHL WP boss, “they can be happy with their first-ever Absa Currie Cup trip to Kimberley.”

The return of star No 8 Duane Vermeulen – from a long-term knee injury – was a big boost for DHL Western Province and Coetzee admitted: “Duane ended up playing an extra ten minutes than we’d initially planned.

“He wasn’t quite at his best, but it’s understandable. I’d say he needs at least three or so matches before he’ll be back at his best Currie Cup/Super Rugby standard.”

Under-21 hooker Scarra Ntubeni replaced Vermeulen shortly after halftime, with skipper Deon Fourie moving to the back row alongside Tyrone Holmes and Jebb Sinclair.

Sinclair was later replaced by Absa Currie Cup debutant Wilhelm van der Sluys (lock – in the 61st minute), with Don Armand moving to the flank, as Coetzee used his bench to great effect – the likes of Nic Groom (scrumhalf – in the 56th minute) and Damien de Allende (centre/wing – another debutant) also enjoying crucial second-half cameos.

“It was always our intention to use the bench,” explained Coetzee, “we needed fresh legs and the replacements certainly all played their part on the day.”

Injury-wise, winger Arendse, who capped off an impressive first-ever Absa Currie Cup appearance for DHL WP with a try, took a knock to his ankle during the match.

Captain Fourie left the fray in the final ten minutes (also with an ankle niggle), whilst vice-captain Marcel Brache – who gave the final pass in each of his team’s three tries – suffered a cut to the face.