A group of local club rugby players have been identified to join DHL Western Province training as part of the preparations for the upcoming Currie Cup.

The amateur rugby department at Western Province Rugby has put a High Performance Club Rugby programme in place, which focuses on developing promising club rugby players on an ongoing basis.

Head of the programme Jerome Paarwater explained how players are identified and developed.

“We invited over 100 players from various Super League A and Super League B teams to join us for this programme at the end of the club rugby season last year.

“These players were all put on a high performance conditioning programme and we have worked with them to make the most of their skills and take their game to the next level.

“As a result we were able to identify eight players to join the senior DHL Western Province squad this week as they prepare for the Currie Cup, he said.

CPUT prop Matthew Coenraad, Hamilton RFC lock Mika Cowley, Milnerton loose forward Adriaan Paarwater, SK Walmers scrumhalf Labeeb Kannemeyer, Durb-Bell centre Jacquin Marthinus, False Bay centre Darren Jaftha, UWC wing Peter Williams and St Georges outside back Fazeel Robinson have all been training with the DHL Western Province squad and getting acquainted with the structures.

DHL Western Province Head Coach John Dobson said it has been fantastic to have the club players integrated in the system.

“Club and amateur rugby is the lifeblood of the game and we are very lucky to have such a competitive system that feeds us here.

“It is fantastic to have these players involved as we gear up for the Currie Cup and they are all adding value which is great to see. Thanks to Jerome and his team for the hard work they have done to develop these talents.

“Hopefully they will all learn something that can see them raise their game even further and compete for places in the senior DHL Western Province team going forward,” he said.