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WP's flyhalf crisis deepens

Cape Town - The flyhalf jinx came back to haunt Western Province on Monday when it was established that Gary van Aswegen had suffered a torn ligament in the match against Griquas over the weekend and consequently will be out of the game for at least two months.

Van Aswegen was the only fit flyhalf in the Province squad when the season kicked-off on Saturday, all the No 10s were injured earlier in the year during the Super Rugby season.

The first-choice flyhalf Peter Grant has returned to Japan for a club stint and the back-up pivots Kurt Coleman, Lionel Cronje and Sam Lane are all on the injured list.

To add insult to injury, the makeshift flyhalf who operated at No 10 on occasions, scrumhalf Dewaldt Duvenage, is also on the injured list.

Allister Coetzee said he was devastated when the doctor told him that Van Aswegen had torn a cartilege in his knee.

"It's a major blow for the team and the player himself," said Coetzee. "He already suffered a knee injury earlier this year and so far he's only been able to play three matches since the start of the year.

"It was a freak accident that caused the problem as an opponent landed badly on his knee after making a tackle.

"He'll be in a leg brace for two weeks and then be in rehab for another six weeks. "He was doing so well after coming back from his first injury and it wasn't a case of him returning to action so soon.

"It's also a major psychological blow for his morale as he was looking forward to the Currie Cup season and now it's time for him to have a complete break and spend time with his family."

Isma-eel Dollie and Demetri Catrikilis are the two flyhalves in the running to take their place against the Leopards at Profert Olen Park, Potchefstroom, on Friday night.

Dollie, who has played Currie Cup rugby for Province and Boland in the past, has experience on his side and should get the nod.

However, Coetzee said that he was hoping that Duvenage will regain to full fitness this week so that he could be considered for the Leopards clash.

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