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Cape Town - Springbok flank Schalk Burger could captain Western Province in their do-or-die Currie Cup clash against the Pumas at Newlands on Saturday.
WP's forwards coach, Matt Proudfoot, confirmed to Die Burger newspaper that all their returning Springboks from the Rugby World Cup are allowed to play this weekend.
Proudfoot said the players themselves will confirm on Wednesday whether they could or are willing to play.
The WP coaches initially hoped to have Jean de Villiers, Gio Aplon and Juan de Jongh ready for action, but according to Proudfoot they would be dumb not to play Burger, Bryan Habana and Jaque Fourie - if they declare themselves available. All three have had a heavy workload for the Springboks recently.
"If Schalk (Burger) can play, he will be captain. If he cannot play, but Jean (de Villiers) can, it will be Jean (as captain).
"If you get the chance during this part of the season to use your Super Rugby captain and vice-captain, you don't say: 'No thank you'."
Province must win the game to ensure they qualify for the semi-finals, and might need a bonus point victory if the Blue Bulls beat the Leopards by a large margin.
They are currently in fourth position on the log standings, with 36 points - one ahead of the Blue Bulls. WP's points difference (71) is also far more superior than that of the Bulls (13).
Thus, barring a huge Blue Bulls victory over the Leopards, Province would only need to claim four points against the Pumas on Saturday.
They will also have the added advantage of knowing exactly what they need to do when their game kicks-off - as the men from Pretoria have their game scheduled for Friday evening at Loftus Versfeld.
WP's forwards coach, Matt Proudfoot, confirmed to Die Burger newspaper that all their returning Springboks from the Rugby World Cup are allowed to play this weekend.
Proudfoot said the players themselves will confirm on Wednesday whether they could or are willing to play.
The WP coaches initially hoped to have Jean de Villiers, Gio Aplon and Juan de Jongh ready for action, but according to Proudfoot they would be dumb not to play Burger, Bryan Habana and Jaque Fourie - if they declare themselves available. All three have had a heavy workload for the Springboks recently.
"If Schalk (Burger) can play, he will be captain. If he cannot play, but Jean (de Villiers) can, it will be Jean (as captain).
"If you get the chance during this part of the season to use your Super Rugby captain and vice-captain, you don't say: 'No thank you'."
Province must win the game to ensure they qualify for the semi-finals, and might need a bonus point victory if the Blue Bulls beat the Leopards by a large margin.
They are currently in fourth position on the log standings, with 36 points - one ahead of the Blue Bulls. WP's points difference (71) is also far more superior than that of the Bulls (13).
Thus, barring a huge Blue Bulls victory over the Leopards, Province would only need to claim four points against the Pumas on Saturday.
They will also have the added advantage of knowing exactly what they need to do when their game kicks-off - as the men from Pretoria have their game scheduled for Friday evening at Loftus Versfeld.
