The DHL Western Province Vodacom Cup team might be sporting a new-look combination in 2013 but coach John Dobson remains as excited and determined as ever ahead of his side’s title defence.
Dobson’s side created history in May of last year when they claimed a dramatic 20-18 Vodacom Cup Final win over the GWK Griquas in Kimberley.
Not only was it DHL WP’s first-ever taste silverware in this competition’s 15-year history, but a core of that same group of players ended 2012 as Absa Currie Cup winners too and most are now training with the DHL Stormers ahead of the 2013 Vodacom Super Rugby tournament.
“We are excited to defend our title… The team will be a very different one from last year but a strong one nonetheless,” said Dobson, after the 2013 fixtures were announced last week.
DHL WP, will kick-off their 2013 campaign with an away clash against neighbours, the Regent Boland Kavaliers, on the weekend of March 8/9, before taking on the Sharks, the EP Kings, Border, the Pampas, SWD and, finally, Free State in the league phase of the competition. The play-offs then get underway in May.
Dobson continued: “The great new additions to our player-contract base, and our most advanced amateur/club player integration plan we have had yet, gives me reason to be excited. I’m not sure when last the union enjoyed this senior and junior depth.
“A lot of last year’s team have moved on, mostly overseas, but we are excited at the team we will be fielding. Obviously having so much depth gives some selection headaches for Allister (Coetzee) but he has assembled a great squad which is what Vodacom Super Rugby is now about – depth. And he has assembled a group of quality individuals and we, with them, will be able to manage any disappointment that may occur at not making the initial DHL Stormers team.
“We back ourselves to create an enjoyable happy environment in the Vodacom Cup and stress to the players that if he wants to play for the DHL Stormers there is only one way – play well for us and be a good team man. We have lost just one Vodacom Cup game in two years so we have a formula that works but we need to up it given, as defending champions, that the other teams will be after us.
“Jerome Paarwater has identified a squad of his leading club players who were available and they have been on an intense conditioning programme at the HPC with Charl Malherbe to give them every chance to compete with the professionals and we are most excited by some of the players we have seen, for example Chevandre van Schoor from Young Gardens in Paarl.
“These players have received professional training and supplementation and will take part in the Vodacom Cup friendlies to give them every opportunity to stake a claim. It’s an increase in last year’s programme, and whilst it is a work in progress, we are very excited by it.
“The Vodacom Cup is a tough competition – anyone with a quarterfinal place is in with a shout of lifting the trophy – as we well know after 2011 and from Gary Gold’s team in 2008, when both teams were unbeaten only to get upset in a quarterfinal… but I am really looking forward to it.
“It may, to some, be the ugly little sister of provincial competitions but it’s a vital development tool for us and also great fun for players and coaches alike.”
* CLICK HERE for the full 2013 Vodacom Cup fixture list.
