Allister Coetzee has praised the structures at Western Province Rugby, after the DHL WP head coach walked off with the Absa Currie Cup Coach of the Month Award for September.
Speaking after receiving his award at the HPC on Monday afternoon, along with hooker Scarra Ntubeni, Coetzee said: “We're fortunate to be receiving these accolades (today).
“The credit has to go to the structures that are in place at Western Province. These (awards) are a result of hard work across the spectrum.
“Our Under-19s aren't really performing to their potential this year but our Under-21s are also topping the log and have also secured a home semifinal, so all credit to a fantastic management team and other role-players.”
Ntubeni, of course, was handed the September Absa Currie Cup Player of the Month Award and the 22-year-old wore a huge grin on his face, admitting: “I didn't expect anything. It's a big shock… but it's a nice shock.”
Like his coach, the combative hooker paid tribute to those around him and he also praised the spirit within the squad, as DHL WP look to successfully defend their Absa Currie Cup title.
“On the field, especially when Schalla (Schalk Burger) is on and even at training the spirit is on par and you can see it on the field, especially when times are dark, the guys are prepared to dig deep for each other,” said the 'happy hooker'.
Coetzee agreed with his young charge, adding: “There's a good culture at DHL Western Province (and the DHL Stormers). The big goal in the Absa Currie Cup was to blood youngsters firstly and secondly, to keep the Currie Cup in the Western Cape, and we're doing well with both of those objectives.
“If you look at the youngsters that we've played this year, we're well on our way to having eight Under-21s in our system and the fact that we're still able to maintain results at Under-21 level says a lot.
“What we are doing is trying to make sure we become consistent at all age-group levels. We had a fantastic Craven Week this year, so our intake is spot on.”
Their coach and player awards aside, Province have also been boosted this week by the return of their Castle Rugby Championship Springboks – Eben Etzebeth, Siya Kolisi, Duane Vermeulen, Jean de Villiers and Juan de Jongh having all reported for duty at the HPC on Monday.
Coetzee admitted to some tough selection meetings this week, saying: “To be honest, it will never be easy. If you look at how the players have put their bodies on the line and represented this DHL Western Province side you feel for those who might miss out, but, on the other hand, you get your Springboks back.
“We'll always play our best possible side and what's an important aspect of our culture is there's honesty and integrity – the players don't guess, they know exactly where they stand with management, and that makes it easier for me.
“It will never be about the individual, it's about the team and the team comes first and that's key to our success.”
When asked about which Boks would potentially be available for selection this coming weekend, Coetzee concluded: “Everyone is able, available and willing to play mentally and physically. I had a chat to them this (Monday) morning… (and) they all want to be a part of this.
“Some of the Springboks will definitely start and some will be on the bench. A guy like Siya Kolisi hasn't played a lot of rugby and I think Eben Etzebeth also, but I'll sleep on that.”
DHL Western Province – who have already secured a home semifinal – will take on the Sharks in Durban on Saturday (kick-off 19h10), with the winner of this encounter finishing on top of the 2013 Absa Currie Cup log.
The DHL WP team, to face the Sharks, will be announced at lunch-time on Wednesday.