Publications
Partners
Stephen Nell
Cape Town – Western Province coach Allister Coetzee has a selection poser on his hands following the Springbok management’s decision to make Gio Aplon, Juan de Jongh and Francois Louw available for Currie Cup duty.
The WP coach is a big disciple of continuity and establishing combinations. Furthermore, he will struggle to find a reason to drop any of the players involved in three consecutive victories that have propelled the Cape side to the top of the Currie Cup Premier League.
“I will consider them if they are all fit and healthy,” Coetzee said about the returning Bok players.
Aplon and De Jongh can give WP’s backline considerably more strike power, but as in the case of Louw the chances are good that they will have to return to international duty in a few weeks’ time.
Province fullback Conrad Jantjes complained of a stiff hamstring during Friday night’s 42-23 win over the Leopards at Olën Park in Potchefstroom.
Conrad Hoffmann replaced him in the second half and showed that he will be up for the task should Coetzee decide to rest Jantjes against the Pumas.
“With Gio at the Springboks it will be between Fabian Juries and Conrad Hoffmann. Conrad (Hoffmann) probably answered a few questions with his performance. He was impressive at the back and particularly good with the ball in hand,” said Coetzee.
Subsequently, however, the coach has also heard that he will have Aplon available.
Aplon can be considered as a wing. The positions are currently occupied by Juries and Frikkie Welsh.
Province’s centre pairing of Paul Bosch and Tim Whitehead is also playing well, and even De Jongh won’t have an easy route back.
Any coach will probably look to accommodate a player like Louw, though Friday’s Newlands clash probably offers a good chance to continue with youngster Rynhardt Elstadt.
It is therefore quite possible that the Boks may have to return off the bench.
Coetzee also quashed any fears about the fitness of Deon Fourie after the hooker took a blow to the head against the Leopards.
“We got five points from the game and are injury-free,” said Coetzee.
Province conceded three tries against the Leopards, and even though two of those were scored inside the last three minutes, the emphasis this week will be on making sure it does not happen again at Newlands on Friday.
Coetzee also indicated last week that he would like to create a few opportunities for young players. Wing JJ Engelbrecht, who has scored tries in three consecutive matches for the WP under-21 side, is one of them.
The Pumas led the Sharks 17-10 at half-time on Friday, but ultimately lost 17-27.
They will also be coming to Cape Town with something to prove. Flyhalf Ricardo Croy was a WP player a few seasons ago, while his deputy this past weekend, Elgar Watts, played for Boland last season.
Cape Town – Western Province coach Allister Coetzee has a selection poser on his hands following the Springbok management’s decision to make Gio Aplon, Juan de Jongh and Francois Louw available for Currie Cup duty.
The WP coach is a big disciple of continuity and establishing combinations. Furthermore, he will struggle to find a reason to drop any of the players involved in three consecutive victories that have propelled the Cape side to the top of the Currie Cup Premier League.
“I will consider them if they are all fit and healthy,” Coetzee said about the returning Bok players.
Aplon and De Jongh can give WP’s backline considerably more strike power, but as in the case of Louw the chances are good that they will have to return to international duty in a few weeks’ time.
Province fullback Conrad Jantjes complained of a stiff hamstring during Friday night’s 42-23 win over the Leopards at Olën Park in Potchefstroom.
Conrad Hoffmann replaced him in the second half and showed that he will be up for the task should Coetzee decide to rest Jantjes against the Pumas.
“With Gio at the Springboks it will be between Fabian Juries and Conrad Hoffmann. Conrad (Hoffmann) probably answered a few questions with his performance. He was impressive at the back and particularly good with the ball in hand,” said Coetzee.
Subsequently, however, the coach has also heard that he will have Aplon available.
Aplon can be considered as a wing. The positions are currently occupied by Juries and Frikkie Welsh.
Province’s centre pairing of Paul Bosch and Tim Whitehead is also playing well, and even De Jongh won’t have an easy route back.
Any coach will probably look to accommodate a player like Louw, though Friday’s Newlands clash probably offers a good chance to continue with youngster Rynhardt Elstadt.
It is therefore quite possible that the Boks may have to return off the bench.
Coetzee also quashed any fears about the fitness of Deon Fourie after the hooker took a blow to the head against the Leopards.
“We got five points from the game and are injury-free,” said Coetzee.
Province conceded three tries against the Leopards, and even though two of those were scored inside the last three minutes, the emphasis this week will be on making sure it does not happen again at Newlands on Friday.
Coetzee also indicated last week that he would like to create a few opportunities for young players. Wing JJ Engelbrecht, who has scored tries in three consecutive matches for the WP under-21 side, is one of them.
The Pumas led the Sharks 17-10 at half-time on Friday, but ultimately lost 17-27.
They will also be coming to Cape Town with something to prove. Flyhalf Ricardo Croy was a WP player a few seasons ago, while his deputy this past weekend, Elgar Watts, played for Boland last season.
