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Pieces falling into place for DHL WP

PUBLISHED: August 5, 2024


Backs and Attack Coach Dawie Snyman and captain Willie Engelbrecht are happy with the progress shown by a developing DHL Western Province side after a five-try win at DHL Stadium on Saturday.

DHL Western Province claimed a convincing 39-17 Carling Currie Cup win against NovaVit Griffons at DHL Stadium on Saturday. It was the second win of the campaign for the hosts, who take on defending champions Toyota Cheetahs at DHL Stadium this Saturday.

Snyman and Engelbrecht gave their thoughts after the Round Five Carling Currie Cup match at DHL Stadium.

Dawie Snyman

On the key takeaways

“It was a bit scrappy but we need to understand that we’ve made several changes and are trying new combinations. There were quite a few highlights but also a few opportunities missed. The line-outs and scrums were solid, and individual performances stood out. Wandisile Simelane was quite good, Damian Markus as well. The loose trio of Willie, 19-year-old Divan Fuller and Paul de Villiers are progressing nicely. Zach [Porthen] stood up well in the scrums, and Imad Khan, every game he plays he keeps getting better. JC Mars, too, on the wing. His preferred position is fullback but he showed he can handle the physicality which is great for us. Those individual performances and moments of good rugby are what we want to see.”

On Markus’ midfield role

“Inside centre is where he has played most of his rugby so at this stage we’ll look at the best options around that, but we’re looking at him as a No. 12. He showed he has incredible speed so maybe we can move a channel wider [to outside centre], so that’s also a possibility.’

On the Toyota Cheetahs challenge

“It’s important to us and we’ll approach it like a Test match as DHL Western Province always wants to do well at DHL Stadium. It’ll be a different kind of challenge but another opportunity to grow closer together as a team, and we’ll start cementing our combinations more than we have the last two, three weeks. We have the same system throughout the union but those combinations are important to get the flow right. One or two injured players may also be available to us. The match is very important for us in the Carling Currie Cup.”

Willie Engelbrecht

On the next generation

“As the coaches keep reiterating, we’re concentrating on the bigger picture that even some of us cannot yet fully comprehend. To see the youngsters coming through is impressive and as one of the senior players who one of these days will be hanging up his boots, I can already identify players who are good enough to wear the blue and white hooped jersey of DHL Western Province.”

On packing down with De Villiers and Fuller in the loose trio

‘They keep me on my toes and make me feel young again! They keep me busy and moving around the park and that only improves my performance.’

On the team’s ambitions

“The Carling Currie Cup is always a big focus for us as players. Whether you’re a veteran like me or a youngster like Divan, we all have the same ambition and that’s to win the competition. It’s the oldest rugby competition in the world and it’s always an honour to play in it. If you’re not playing to win it, why are you even playing?”