The Saracens-bound DHL Western Province squad will depart for London a bit later today, with the Absa Currie Cup champions determined to give a good account of themselves on the international stage.
Whilst bragging rights – and not log points – are up for grabs in the inaugural Sanlam Private Investments Challenge between hosts Saracens and DHL WP, the tourists are determined to leave their mark at Allianz Park.
Speaking shortly before the squad’s departure for London on Thursday, DHL Western Province coach Allister Coetzee told www.wprugby.com: “Not only are we representing Western Province as Absa Currie Cup champions, but we are representing the SA Rugby community on the international stage.
“Saracens are a top-notch club and have big names on their playing roster. Although a few of those bigger names are on international duty this week, they have still announced a powerful squad for Sunday – a team with a strong South African flavour and well led by (Springbok) Alistair Hargreaves.”
Saracens lost in the final of the English Premiership and the European Cup last season and are currently in second position on the Premiership log after six rounds of action in the 2014/15 season.
“We’re all very excited and looking forward to Sunday,” added Coetzee. “Saracens are a well structured team with a strong kicking game.
“I’m expecting a big set-piece battle and it will also be interesting to see how the players adapt to the local law interpretations, with northern hemisphere referees allowing more of a contest on the ground.
“We certainly won’t change much from the Currie Cup, but, of course, there is also the small matter of playing on an artificial surface at Allianz Park, which is a faster track than normal and won’t be affected by the potentially inclement weather this weekend.”
Coetzee on Monday announced a strong 24-man DHL WP squad, a travel party excluding new Springbok tourists Nizaam Carr and Seabelo Senatla, as well as Cheslin Kolbe, who is being rested before joining up with the SA Sevens squad next week.
The likes of Oli Kebble, Jurie van Vuuren, Dillyn Leyds, Pat Howard and EW Viljoen – all of whom missed the Absa Currie Cup Final – are all in the selection mix, along with new front row signings Bongi Mbonambi, Vincent Koch and Wilco Louw.
Leyds (for Kolbe), Howard (for Senatla), Sikhumbuzo Notshe (for Carr) will all start the match against Saracens, along with one of either Koch or Louw, whilst the DHL WP medical staff will give Barbarians squad members Juan de Jongh and Michael Rhodes the quick ‘once-over’ before confirming their participation in Sunday’s match.
“It will be a good opportunity to expose our new recruits, Bongi Mbonambi, Vincent Koch and Wilco Louw, to the team environment at WP Rugby,” said Coetzee, who will confirm the DHL WP starting line-up on Friday.
“The new guys have settled in well,” he added, “they’re all intelligent rugby players and I am pleased with how quickly they’ve settled in.
“Team culture was a big thing for us during the Currie Cup and it’s something I would like to see the guys build on even more this trip – especially as we’ll be away from home and with those new faces in the team.
“I think it’s fair to say that we had an enjoyable Currie Cup campaign. The players enjoyed themselves on and off the field and were able to express themselves on the field, even in the play-offs. I’d like to see more of the same this weekend in what will be a new experience for many of the players.”
Sunday’s match will get underway at 13h00 UK time (15h00 SA time) and will be televised live on SuperSport One.
The DHL Western Province team will wear black armbands in honour of the late Tinus Linee, the legendary WP centre who passed away on Monday from Motor Neuron Disease.