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Cape Town - Western Province received a boost on Monday with prop Deon Carstens and flank Rynhardt Elstadt declared fit for selection this week after injury layoffs.
Carstens broke his nose in their opening Currie Cup game against the Sharks at Newlands a few weeks ago, while Elstadt had been out with a groin injury since the Stormers' Super Rugby semi-final loss to the Sharks in late July.
The return of Elstadt will certainly please coach Allister Coetzee, especially after news broke on Sunday that flanker Siya Kolisi will be out for the remainder of the season with a broken thumb.
There's also the possiblility that fit-again loosie Duane Vermeulen - who had a good 65 minutes against the Golden Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday - may be called up to the Springbok setup, which makes Elstadt's return all the more welcome for the Cape side.
Flyhalf Gary van Aswegen (knee) is also back in the frame after playing a few club games for Stellenbosch University in recent weeks.
However, there's still uncertainty over the return of No 8 Nick Koster - who's been out with a long-term knee injury as well as fullback Joe Pietersen - who injured his wrist against the Sharks three weeks ago.
WP are currently languishing at fifth spot on the overall log - two behind the fourth placed Blue Bulls - after their narrow 26-23 loss to the Lions.
They will look to bounce back when they host the Blue Bulls at Newlands this Saturday (19:10 kick-off).
Carstens broke his nose in their opening Currie Cup game against the Sharks at Newlands a few weeks ago, while Elstadt had been out with a groin injury since the Stormers' Super Rugby semi-final loss to the Sharks in late July.
The return of Elstadt will certainly please coach Allister Coetzee, especially after news broke on Sunday that flanker Siya Kolisi will be out for the remainder of the season with a broken thumb.
There's also the possiblility that fit-again loosie Duane Vermeulen - who had a good 65 minutes against the Golden Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday - may be called up to the Springbok setup, which makes Elstadt's return all the more welcome for the Cape side.
Flyhalf Gary van Aswegen (knee) is also back in the frame after playing a few club games for Stellenbosch University in recent weeks.
However, there's still uncertainty over the return of No 8 Nick Koster - who's been out with a long-term knee injury as well as fullback Joe Pietersen - who injured his wrist against the Sharks three weeks ago.
WP are currently languishing at fifth spot on the overall log - two behind the fourth placed Blue Bulls - after their narrow 26-23 loss to the Lions.
They will look to bounce back when they host the Blue Bulls at Newlands this Saturday (19:10 kick-off).
