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Coetzee: Keep error rate down!

Cape Town - Western Province coach Allister Coetzee has called on his players to keep their error rate to a minimum when they take on the Golden Lions in a Currie Cup clash in Johannesburg on Saturday.

WP fought back from 0-12 down to claim a 25-20 win over Griquas in Kimberley last week. However, the previous week they made an awful mess against the Sharks - losing 23-25 despite dominating the territory and possession stakes. Coetzee afterwards described that game as a “comedy of errors”.

But he was happy with last week’s effort and has called for more of the same against the defending Currie Cup champions this week.

"Our error rate was down (against Griquas), hopefully we can improve on that some more against the Lions," he told the WP Rugby website.

"It's never easy in Johannesburg, we know that, and we're aware of what's coming. But we need to keep our errors down and look after the ball - it's one area you really have to be sharp in (against the Lions)."

WP also welcome the return of Springbok squad discards Juan de Jongh (centre) and Siya Kolisi (flank). Both were part of the Bok squad before the Rugby Championship but were not picked to make the trip over to Argentina this week.

"It's sad to see them out of the national squad, but at the same time I'm glad to see them back in Province colours," said Coetzee.

"The Lions are the one team with a near Super Rugby side and they are, after all, the Currie Cup champions. They will be ready for us in Johannesburg, so it's great to have them (De Jongh and Kolisi) back."

Winger Ederies Arendse (ankle) is a doubtful starter for this weekend, but captain Deon Fourie (also ankle) will lead his team into battle at Coca-Cola Park - despite sitting out training on Monday.

Vice-captain Marcel Brache was sporting a black eye from Saturday's physical clash in Kimberley but he, too, would be fine to travel to Johannesburg - according to Coetzee.

Flanker Rynhardt Elstadt (groin), flyhalf Burton Francis (knee) and fullback Joe Pietersen (wrist) are not available for the Lions trip, but it was also heartening to see Nick Koster (knee) and Hilton Lobberts (broken arm) taking some part at training on Monday - albeit on the periphery.

Koster, like flyhalf Gary van Aswegen (who is due to turn out for the Maties again this week - after his return from knee troubles), is expected to see some club action for UCT in the coming weeks.
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