The DHL Western Province Under-21 team, once again under the coaching of John Dobson, is looking to go one better in 2013 after their runner-up finish to last year’s Provincial U21 tournament.
The WP Under-21s went down 13-22 to the Blue Bulls in the 2012 final in Durban, Dobson having had the faith to select twelve Under-20 players for that match after six U21 players formed part of the eventual Absa Currie Cup-winning senior side.
“We’re very excited by the upcoming season and this group of players,” said Dobson, who tasted overall success in 2010 as coach of the WP Under-21 side.
“We have a had a good build-up and a good pre-season and the players have shown to be a talented group. More than that, however, the guys have a good work ethic and discipline and they’ve responded well to the management team.”
Whilst 12 players from last year’s final team could again front up again for the Under-21s in 2013, the likes of lock Gerbrandt Grobler, flyhalf/fullback Tim Swiel, centre/wing Pat Howard and fullback Cheslin Kolbe could also perhaps find themselves in contention to play senior Absa Currie Cup rugby this season.
“There is a nice blend between first- and second-year players, which is exciting in itself,” explained Dobson. “We have an abundance of talent in certain positions – like loose forward – but we’re maybe a bit thinner in the second row.”
Flanker Josh Katzen, in his second year of WP Under-21 rugby, has been appointed as the team captain for 2013 and Dobson commented on his skipper: “Josh was our most promising forward last year, after basically coming from nowhere to establish himself in the team. He has already stamped his authority on the team this year and has the respect of all the players.”
Province will kick-off their 2013 Under-21 campaign against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein this coming weekend – on Saturday at 13h00 – before a run of four home matches, against the Leopards (July 19-20), the Blue Bulls (July 27), Border (August 10) and the Sharks (August 17), over the next five weekends.
“We have a tough start,” admitted Dobson, “but our goal, given those home games, is to start well to put us in a good position come the halfway mark of the season.
“Not only do we some tough away games in the second half of the season, but injuries and Currie Cup call-ups will again play their part so we need to be prepared for that too as it will test our depth.
“We’re really looking forward to the start of the season,” added Dobson. “We have been working hard in our build-up and we’re excited at the prospect of what this team is capable of achieving.”
The 2013 Western Province Under-21 squad:
Justin Ackerman
Craig Barry
Justin Benn
Ruan Botha
Brianton Booysen
Eital Bredenkamp
Lungelo Chonco
Stephan Coetzee
Carel du Preez
Selom Gavor
Gerbrandt Grobler
Janco Gunter
Nico Heyns
Pat Howard
Joshua Katzen (captain)
Oliver Kebble
Freddie Kirsten
Jean Kleyn
Werner Kok
Cheslin Kolbe
John-Ben Kotze
Dillyn Leyds
Jean-Paul Lewis
Kyle Lombard
Renier Marais
Godlen Masimla
Cobus Nel
Jean Nel
Sikhumbuzo Notshe
Niel Oelofse
Sti Sithole
Rayn Smid
WJ Strydom
Entienne Swanepoel
Tim Swiel
Chevandre van Schoor
Jurie van Vuuren
Kobus van Wyk
Devon Williams
Michael Willemse