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Cape Town - Juan de Jongh is relishing WP’s defence of their Currie Cup title, despite being left out of Heyneke Meyer's Springbok squad.
De Jongh has made only 14 appearances in the green and gold since making his debut in June 2010.
Former WP team mate, JJ Engelbrecht, has usurped De Jongh to become Meyer's incumbent No. 13, with Bulls centre, Jan Serfontein, occupying the spot on the bench, a spot De Jongh probably knows about all too well.
However, De Jongh says he has not allowed it to affect him too much and he is fully focused on WP's current Currie Cup campaign.
"It’s one of those things (being released from the Springbok squad) but that’s not where my focus is.
"My focus is always on the here and now and to make the most of every opportunity," De Jongh told Rugby365's website.
"It doesn’t matter what jersey I wear, it’s just great to be playing again and I’m enjoying my rugby.
"I’m just focused on playing good rugby for Province and hopefully then God will open some doors for me again.
"I’ve been going from strength to strength since I’ve come back from injury so I’m pleased with my form," he said before adding that he still aims to improve on his game.
De Jongh said that he was looking forward to WP's clash with traditional rivals, the Blue Bulls at Loftus on Saturday, and says that the team will aim to put the disappointment of their opening weekend draw at Newlands when the two teams last met.
De Jongh is one of the leaders in the new-look Western Province backline and feels they are growing in stature as a unit, with fellow Springbok Gio Aplon playing an integral role in their development.
De Jongh dismissed suggestions at WP's ineffectiveness in capitalising on good play in their failure to secure a four-try bonus point win on numerous occassions this season.
"I don’t get all the hype behind the four tries.
"It’s not something we’re focus on.
"We’re unbeaten and that’s what’s important.
"The games and opportunities will come to score four tries and when they do it’ll be a bonus."
Kickoff at Loftus is scheduled for 17:05.
Teams:
Blue Bulls:
15 Jürgen Visser, 14 Sampie Mastriet, 13 Ulrich Beyers, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Akona Ndungane, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Rudy Paige, 8 Jono Ross (captain), 7 Jacques du Plessis, 6 Wiaan Liebenberg, 5 Grant Hattingh, 4 Paul Willemse, 3 Frik Kirsten, 2 Mbongeni Mbonambi, 1 Marcel van der Merwe.
Substitutes: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Dean Greyling, 18 David Bullbring, 19 Jacques Engelbrecht, 20 21 Lohan Jacobs, 22 Waylon Murray, 23 Clayton Blommetjies
Western Province:
15. Gio Aplon, 14. Gerhard van den Heever, 13. Juan de Jongh, 12. Damian de Allende, 11. Cheslin Kolbe, 10. Kurt Coleman, 9. Louis Schreuder, 8. Nizaam Carr, 7. Michael Rhodes, 6. Rynhardt Elstadt 5. De Kock Steenkamp (captain), 4. Taz Fuzani, 3. Pat Cilliers, 2. Scarra Ntubeni, 1. Steven Kitshoff
Substitutes: 16. Michael Willemse, 17. Brok Harris, 18. Gerbrandt Grobler, 19. Rohan Kitshoff, 20. Nic Groom, 21. Gary van Aswegen, 22. Michael van der Spuy
De Jongh has made only 14 appearances in the green and gold since making his debut in June 2010.
Former WP team mate, JJ Engelbrecht, has usurped De Jongh to become Meyer's incumbent No. 13, with Bulls centre, Jan Serfontein, occupying the spot on the bench, a spot De Jongh probably knows about all too well.
However, De Jongh says he has not allowed it to affect him too much and he is fully focused on WP's current Currie Cup campaign.
"It’s one of those things (being released from the Springbok squad) but that’s not where my focus is.
"My focus is always on the here and now and to make the most of every opportunity," De Jongh told Rugby365's website.
"It doesn’t matter what jersey I wear, it’s just great to be playing again and I’m enjoying my rugby.
"I’m just focused on playing good rugby for Province and hopefully then God will open some doors for me again.
"I’ve been going from strength to strength since I’ve come back from injury so I’m pleased with my form," he said before adding that he still aims to improve on his game.
De Jongh said that he was looking forward to WP's clash with traditional rivals, the Blue Bulls at Loftus on Saturday, and says that the team will aim to put the disappointment of their opening weekend draw at Newlands when the two teams last met.
De Jongh is one of the leaders in the new-look Western Province backline and feels they are growing in stature as a unit, with fellow Springbok Gio Aplon playing an integral role in their development.
De Jongh dismissed suggestions at WP's ineffectiveness in capitalising on good play in their failure to secure a four-try bonus point win on numerous occassions this season.
"I don’t get all the hype behind the four tries.
"It’s not something we’re focus on.
"We’re unbeaten and that’s what’s important.
"The games and opportunities will come to score four tries and when they do it’ll be a bonus."
Kickoff at Loftus is scheduled for 17:05.
Teams:
Blue Bulls:
15 Jürgen Visser, 14 Sampie Mastriet, 13 Ulrich Beyers, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Akona Ndungane, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Rudy Paige, 8 Jono Ross (captain), 7 Jacques du Plessis, 6 Wiaan Liebenberg, 5 Grant Hattingh, 4 Paul Willemse, 3 Frik Kirsten, 2 Mbongeni Mbonambi, 1 Marcel van der Merwe.
Substitutes: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Dean Greyling, 18 David Bullbring, 19 Jacques Engelbrecht, 20 21 Lohan Jacobs, 22 Waylon Murray, 23 Clayton Blommetjies
Western Province:
15. Gio Aplon, 14. Gerhard van den Heever, 13. Juan de Jongh, 12. Damian de Allende, 11. Cheslin Kolbe, 10. Kurt Coleman, 9. Louis Schreuder, 8. Nizaam Carr, 7. Michael Rhodes, 6. Rynhardt Elstadt 5. De Kock Steenkamp (captain), 4. Taz Fuzani, 3. Pat Cilliers, 2. Scarra Ntubeni, 1. Steven Kitshoff
Substitutes: 16. Michael Willemse, 17. Brok Harris, 18. Gerbrandt Grobler, 19. Rohan Kitshoff, 20. Nic Groom, 21. Gary van Aswegen, 22. Michael van der Spuy
