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Cape Town - Brendan Venter says Western Province's plan to pick Rynhardt Elstadt at No 6 flank for their Currie Cup semi-final against the Blue Bulls could pay dividends.
WP coach Allister Coetzee is considering picking Elstadt, who can also play lock, in the No 6 jersey for Saturday's clash in an attempt to add some much needed bulk to the WP forward pack.
Venter, in an interview with Die Burger, said it would be a good idea.
"Notshe (Sikhumbuzo) is a light (weight) player and good with ball in hand, but he's not big. Nizaam Carr is not the biggest No 8 and WP's locks also aren't giants. In the front row, Alistair Vermaak and Scarra Ntubeni are on the small side. Therefore, I think it's a good move to pick Rynhardt because it will add a bit of weight to the pack."
Venter, who was the mastermind behind the Sharks' Currie Cup final win over WP at Newlands last year, said he expects the Bulls to kick a lot.
However, he warned the men from Pretoria to kick accurately otherwise they could be in trouble.
"WP don't have the personnel to physically outmuscle the Bulls and would be in trouble if they don't get enough possession. But if the Bulls kick poorly, they'll be heavily punished," said the former Springbok centre, referring WP's dangerous outside backs like Cheslin Kolbe and Seabelo Senatla.
The last time these two teams met in a Currie Cup semi-final was at Newlands in 2009, when a late Morne Steyn penalty handed the Bulls a 21-19 victory.
Earlier this season, WP beat the Bulls 41-17 at Newlands and also won the return leg at Loftus Versfeld 23-18, before the Bulls season gained momentum.
The WP team will be announced at 12:35 on Thursday.
Kick-off for Saturday's clash at Newlands is scheduled for 17:00.
WP coach Allister Coetzee is considering picking Elstadt, who can also play lock, in the No 6 jersey for Saturday's clash in an attempt to add some much needed bulk to the WP forward pack.
Venter, in an interview with Die Burger, said it would be a good idea.
"Notshe (Sikhumbuzo) is a light (weight) player and good with ball in hand, but he's not big. Nizaam Carr is not the biggest No 8 and WP's locks also aren't giants. In the front row, Alistair Vermaak and Scarra Ntubeni are on the small side. Therefore, I think it's a good move to pick Rynhardt because it will add a bit of weight to the pack."
Venter, who was the mastermind behind the Sharks' Currie Cup final win over WP at Newlands last year, said he expects the Bulls to kick a lot.
However, he warned the men from Pretoria to kick accurately otherwise they could be in trouble.
"WP don't have the personnel to physically outmuscle the Bulls and would be in trouble if they don't get enough possession. But if the Bulls kick poorly, they'll be heavily punished," said the former Springbok centre, referring WP's dangerous outside backs like Cheslin Kolbe and Seabelo Senatla.
The last time these two teams met in a Currie Cup semi-final was at Newlands in 2009, when a late Morne Steyn penalty handed the Bulls a 21-19 victory.
Earlier this season, WP beat the Bulls 41-17 at Newlands and also won the return leg at Loftus Versfeld 23-18, before the Bulls season gained momentum.
The WP team will be announced at 12:35 on Thursday.
Kick-off for Saturday's clash at Newlands is scheduled for 17:00.
