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Stephen Nell
Cape Town – The decision by Johann Sadie and JJ Engelbrecht to move to Pretoria after this year’s Currie Cup will not be held against them when Western Province coach Allister Coetzee selects his teams.
There will be inevitable criticism that WP are now doing free development for the Bulls’ next Super Rugby campaign, but Coetzee feels differently about the issue and wants to get the best from his available talent pool until the end of October.
“My philosophy is that I prepare players to be successful and to grow in the hope that they can one day play for South Africa. It will be contrary to that if I don’t consider them,” said Coetzee.
It’s the loss of Sadie, in particular, that may be a major blow to the Cape side. He shone in the Super Rugby matches he played this year.
“I have an undertaking from Johann that he will do his best. He will be a key man in our midfield,” said Coetzee.
Province did what they could to keep Sadie in the Cape – he has played his rugby there since school level – but were ultimately not prepared to write as big a cheque as the Blue Bulls.
There were also efforts by other provinces to sign young stars such as Rynhardt Elstadt, Steven Kitshoff, Frans Malherbe and Eben Etzebeth, but all four these outstanding young tight forwards decided to stay in the Cape.
Notwithstanding the bad news on Sadie and Engelbrecht, WP are happy that they have managed to keep the bulk of an exceptional generation of young players.
Province start their Currie Cup campaign on Saturday – against Griquas at Newlands.
It is expected that Sadie and Tim Whitehead will man the midfield.
Coetzee does not have an easy task to pick a side for the match.
Elstadt has suffered a knee injury that will sideline him for three months.
The initial expectation was that he would be a key player for WP in the domestic tournament, but the outstanding lock is only expected fit again in October.
Fortunately there are a number of emerging lock stars at WP.
Apart from experienced players like De Kock Steenkamp and Adriaan Fondse, the likes to Etzebeth and Quinn Roux may also make their breakthrough.
Etzebeth recently starred for the SA under-20 side at the Junior World Championship in Italy.
It will also be interesting to see whom WP appoint as their captain this week.
Scrumhalf Dewaldt Duvenage is probably a strong candidate, but may only be fit for the second league game – against the Leopards in Potchefstroom.
At flyhalf, both Lionel Cronjé and Kurt Coleman remain sidelined, but Gary van Aswegen may be fit to wear the No 10 jersey this week.
Coleman is expected to be sidelined for another four weeks and Cronjé will probably only be able to play again at the end of September.
Loose forward Pieter Louw may also be in action against the Leopards, while prop JC Kritzinger should be up and running again by mid-August.
Kritzinger has been unfortunate with injuries in his short career thus far, but much is still expected of him. His ability to pack down on either side of the scrum makes him a particularly valuable player.
Cape Town – The decision by Johann Sadie and JJ Engelbrecht to move to Pretoria after this year’s Currie Cup will not be held against them when Western Province coach Allister Coetzee selects his teams.
There will be inevitable criticism that WP are now doing free development for the Bulls’ next Super Rugby campaign, but Coetzee feels differently about the issue and wants to get the best from his available talent pool until the end of October.
“My philosophy is that I prepare players to be successful and to grow in the hope that they can one day play for South Africa. It will be contrary to that if I don’t consider them,” said Coetzee.
It’s the loss of Sadie, in particular, that may be a major blow to the Cape side. He shone in the Super Rugby matches he played this year.
“I have an undertaking from Johann that he will do his best. He will be a key man in our midfield,” said Coetzee.
Province did what they could to keep Sadie in the Cape – he has played his rugby there since school level – but were ultimately not prepared to write as big a cheque as the Blue Bulls.
There were also efforts by other provinces to sign young stars such as Rynhardt Elstadt, Steven Kitshoff, Frans Malherbe and Eben Etzebeth, but all four these outstanding young tight forwards decided to stay in the Cape.
Notwithstanding the bad news on Sadie and Engelbrecht, WP are happy that they have managed to keep the bulk of an exceptional generation of young players.
Province start their Currie Cup campaign on Saturday – against Griquas at Newlands.
It is expected that Sadie and Tim Whitehead will man the midfield.
Coetzee does not have an easy task to pick a side for the match.
Elstadt has suffered a knee injury that will sideline him for three months.
The initial expectation was that he would be a key player for WP in the domestic tournament, but the outstanding lock is only expected fit again in October.
Fortunately there are a number of emerging lock stars at WP.
Apart from experienced players like De Kock Steenkamp and Adriaan Fondse, the likes to Etzebeth and Quinn Roux may also make their breakthrough.
Etzebeth recently starred for the SA under-20 side at the Junior World Championship in Italy.
It will also be interesting to see whom WP appoint as their captain this week.
Scrumhalf Dewaldt Duvenage is probably a strong candidate, but may only be fit for the second league game – against the Leopards in Potchefstroom.
At flyhalf, both Lionel Cronjé and Kurt Coleman remain sidelined, but Gary van Aswegen may be fit to wear the No 10 jersey this week.
Coleman is expected to be sidelined for another four weeks and Cronjé will probably only be able to play again at the end of September.
Loose forward Pieter Louw may also be in action against the Leopards, while prop JC Kritzinger should be up and running again by mid-August.
Kritzinger has been unfortunate with injuries in his short career thus far, but much is still expected of him. His ability to pack down on either side of the scrum makes him a particularly valuable player.
