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DHL WP squad hits Hermanus

PUBLISHED: February 19, 2013


With the first DHL Stormers matchday squad of 2013 having been named earlier this week, the DHL Western Province squad made the trek from Cape Town to Hermanus on Tuesday morning as part of their Vodacom Cup preparations.

Coach John Dobson has taken a 32-man squad to the seaside town – some of whom were part of the enlarged DHL Stormers group earlier this year and others who are still junior players within the union.

Some of Dobson’s WP Under-21 stars from 2012 – like Gerbrandt Grobler, Pat Howard, Cheslin Kolbe, Godlin Masimla, Rayn Smid, Tim Swiel and Francois van Wyk (to name just a few) – have all made the step up, whilst Stormers squad members Kurt Coleman, Berton Klaasen and Gary van Aswegen add some big-game experience.

Centre Marcel Brache, who underwent a neck operation at the end of last year, will begin his gradual comeback in Hermanus, whilst fellow midfielder, Michael van der Spuy, is also back in the mix after a long-term knee injury which saw him sidelined for most of 2012.

WP, of course, are the defending Vodacom Cup champions – having claimed the honours in a dramatic final in Kimberley in May 2012 – but their coach is remaining very realistic ahead of their title defence this season.

“Whilst we would love to win it this competition is mostly about preparing guys for Super Rugby or Currie Cup, which worked so well last year, or even the Under-21 Provincial tournament, in the case of talented youngsters like Jean Kleyn, Sikhumbuzo Notshe and Carel du Preez,” said Dobson before the team departed for Hermanus on Tuesday.

“But these camps are remarkable in bringing a team together and this really is the biggest step towards fighting to defend our trophy. Traditionally, these camps in Hermanus have made a difference to all our campaigns, from Super Rugby to our Under-21s and we have some fantastic things planned after a couple of days of very hard work.”

Speaking further about the squad at his disposal, Dobson continued: “In my experience the key to a successful Vodacom Cup campaign is that you get a happy group, managing those players who are naturally disappointed not to be playing for the DHL Stormers (this weekend) and marrying them with those who have just achieved (something) by making this squad, such as the club players we have identified or the talented youngsters.

“We only have two players on camp who were involved in last year’s final, so our work is cut out for us to rebuild this team… but there are some promising signs in this group, that’s for sure!”

The DHL WP Vodacom Cup training squad is as follows:

1. Marcel Brache
2. Eital Bredenkamp
3. Wes Chetty
4. Chris Cloete
5. Stephan Coetzee
6. Kurt Coleman
7. Bolla Conradie
8. Carel du Preez
9. Tjoppie Ferreira
10. Gerbrandt Grobler
11. Chris Heiberg
12. Pat Howard
13. Vince Jobo
14. Berton Klaasen
15. Jean Kleyn
16. Cheslin Kolbe
17. Kyle Lombard
18. Godlin Masimla
19. Cobus Nel
20. Sikhumbuzo Notshe
21. Ryan Olivier
22. Jody Reyneke
23. Dylan Rogers
24. Rayn Smid
25. Tim Swiel
26. Gary van Aswegen
27. Michael van der Spuy
28. Chevandre van Schoor
29. Francois van Wyk
30. Kobus van Wyk
31. Ashley Wells
32. Devon Williams

DHL WP Vodacom Cup team management:
Head coach: John Dobson
Manager: Cassiem Barnes
Assistant coaches: Labeeb Levy, Dawie Snyman
Strength and conditioning coach: Charl Malherbe
Physiotherapist: Lize van Schalkwyk
Team doctor: Dr Jason Suter