Frans Malherbe, Eben Etzebeth, Gerbrandt Grobler, Demetri Catrakilis and Kobus van Wyk are all back in full training ahead of the start of DHL Western Province’s 2014 Absa Currie Cup campaign.
Malherbe (concussion) and Van Wyk (calf muscle) missed the business-end of the DHL Stormers’ recently-completed Vodacom Super Rugby campaign but both trained flat out at DHL WP’s well-attended open session at the Langa Sports Grounds on Tuesday.
Etzebeth has not played at all in 2014 after suffering a foot injury at the end of 2013 and then a toe injury before he completed his rehabilitation from the former, whilst second row colleague Gerbrandt Grobler (shoulder/leg) is also back to full fitness after missing all of 2014 up until now. It remains to be seen, however, if Etzebeth will feature in the Currie Cup for DHL WP – depending on his Springbok commitments.
Last but not least, Catrakilis has shaken off a few niggles to return to full training ahead of DHL Western Province’s first game of the 2014 Absa Currie Cup season on Friday, August 8 – against the EP Kings.
“It has required a massive effort from our medical team to ensure that players are ready for Absa Currie Cup duty,” DHL Western Province coach Allister Coetzee told www.wprugby.com.
“Eben Etzebeth has worked hard to regain fitness and he’s ready to play. I would like to see him work on his match fitness by playing for us before the Boks call him up.
“Frans Malherbe has now reached a stage where he can take full contact and he too could do with match-action ahead of a potential (Bok) call-up.”
Meanwhile, coach Coetzee revealed that he would wait until the announcement of the Springbok squad this coming weekend before announcing his captain for the 2014 Currie Cup season.
“We have identified eight to ten players who we want to develop in a leadership role,” said Coetzee.
“We won’t be announcing a captain as yet, only once we know who will be chosen for the Springboks can we make a final decision on that.”
The full DHL Western Province injury report (29/07/14):
– Tighthead prop Frans Malherbe, locks Eben Etzebeth and Gerbrandt Grobler, flyhalf Demetri Catrakilis, centre/wing Kobus van Wyk are all back at full training.
– Lock Ruan Botha sat out today’s training session with an ankle injury – there will be more clarity after his final scan tomorrow.
– Centre Juan de Jongh sat out training with a slight bump to his knee. He is being managed but will be good to go for DHL WP’s opening game against the EP Kings on August 8.
– Flyhalf Kurt Coleman also has a slight knee niggle and will be touch and go for DHL WP’s opening game against the Kings.
– Tighthead prop Brok Harris (shoulder) is two/three weeks away from being considered for selection (he could most likely be back for the Bulls match on Saturday, August 16).
– The following players will be ready for the Bulls match at DHL Newlands (August 16): hooker Scarra Ntubeni (foot), lock/flank Rynhardt Elstadt (shoulder).
– The following players are at least three weeks away from returning to action: prop Oli Kebble (ankle), lock/flank Jurie van Vuuren (shoulder).
– Lock Tazz Fuzani is still five weeks away from returning to action from a broken arm.
– Centre Jean de Villiers is running flat out and midfield partner Damian de Allende is running in a controlled environment. Both are recovering from knee injuries.
***CLICK HERE FOR THE 2014 DHL NEWLANDS HALF-SEASON TICKET SPECIAL!***
