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Cape Town - Western Province's efforts to build momentum after recording their first Currie Cup win of the season against the Leopards over the weekend will be severely tested when they come up against the Bulls at Newlands on Saturday.
Springbok call-ups and a spate of injuries have left WP with an untried line-up which hardly looks like a side that has the capacity to be considered serious Currie Cup championship contenders.
But WP coach Allister Coetzee there's no room for excuses and he has to deliver winning results with the talents he has to work with.
"There is a perception that this team will not be as good as the (Stormers) team that finished the Super Rugby season so well but this (untried players talent) is what I have and this is what I must make do with," said Coetzee.
"We are looking to improve with every game after our first game (against Griquas) was an exercise in stock-taking.
"We can build momentum by taking our opportunities and cutting out errors.
"Against the Leopards there were definite signs of improvement because after all you don't just turn up at a place like Potch (Potchefstroom) and expect to win."
Coetzee said this week they are up against the Bulls who have a way of imposing themselves on the opposition. "The Bulls are in the rebuilding stage and they showed a lot of character against the Cheetahs at Loftus," said Coetzee.
"After losing in the first week (against the Sharks) they did well to come back in the way they did. They played efficiently and changed their play when it was necessary.
"The North/South element will come into play and one expects the match to be similar to a Super Rugby clash.
"The Bulls have an effective gameplan and we need to handle their kicking strategy. We need to be able to control the high balls that they'll be kicking.
"And then we need to be in control of our set-pieces. It will be matter that will be non-negotiable.
"The players themselves will want to keep the (winning) momentum going and playing against a side growing in confidence will not make it easier."
It's very likely that Coetzee will field an unchanged combination this week and that means that the young Ikey flyhalf Demetri Catrakilis will retain the No 10 jumper.
"We want to play with the best available team because the players must grow as a team," said Coetzee.
Springbok call-ups and a spate of injuries have left WP with an untried line-up which hardly looks like a side that has the capacity to be considered serious Currie Cup championship contenders.
But WP coach Allister Coetzee there's no room for excuses and he has to deliver winning results with the talents he has to work with.
"There is a perception that this team will not be as good as the (Stormers) team that finished the Super Rugby season so well but this (untried players talent) is what I have and this is what I must make do with," said Coetzee.
"We are looking to improve with every game after our first game (against Griquas) was an exercise in stock-taking.
"We can build momentum by taking our opportunities and cutting out errors.
"Against the Leopards there were definite signs of improvement because after all you don't just turn up at a place like Potch (Potchefstroom) and expect to win."
Coetzee said this week they are up against the Bulls who have a way of imposing themselves on the opposition. "The Bulls are in the rebuilding stage and they showed a lot of character against the Cheetahs at Loftus," said Coetzee.
"After losing in the first week (against the Sharks) they did well to come back in the way they did. They played efficiently and changed their play when it was necessary.
"The North/South element will come into play and one expects the match to be similar to a Super Rugby clash.
"The Bulls have an effective gameplan and we need to handle their kicking strategy. We need to be able to control the high balls that they'll be kicking.
"And then we need to be in control of our set-pieces. It will be matter that will be non-negotiable.
"The players themselves will want to keep the (winning) momentum going and playing against a side growing in confidence will not make it easier."
It's very likely that Coetzee will field an unchanged combination this week and that means that the young Ikey flyhalf Demetri Catrakilis will retain the No 10 jumper.
"We want to play with the best available team because the players must grow as a team," said Coetzee.
