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Payback time for WP bad luck

Marco Botha

Cape Town – Some of the tears that fell last year after Western Province's nightmare in the Currie Cup final against the Sharks, have perhaps fallen on fertile soil for the Stormers and Springboks.

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Allister Coetzee, head coach for both teams, indicated on Wednesday that the injuries to Schalk Burger, Juan de Jongh and Ricky January badly affected the team's chances to win the Cup.

"But the positive thing is that the injuries have meant a long break for these three Springboks."

"It was a problem for us at the time they became injured, but for the Super15 the guys are now extra fresh and well prepared."

Apart from them, key players like Andries Bekker, Tiaan Liebenberg and Duane Vermeulen have all recovered from injuries, although Jacque Fourie may possibly only begin training again with the team from next Monday.

"In this competition your depth is tested to the utmost. With extra local derbies, this year will be extra physical."

"We now have an established group with several certain choices. CJ van der Linde has been pulled in at tighthead prop which will take a lot of pressure off Brok Harris," said Coetzee.

He believes a fresh group of rested players, a marked increase in experience over the past year, depth in the WP and Stormers structures and subsequent greater interrelated competition, will all be factors counting in the favour of the Capetonians.

"We have a few players who are competing for several positions in the starter team. It is a healthy situation to have. No one can become too comfortable."

"For instance, Gio Aplon is as good on wing as at fullback and I can use him with great confidence in either position.

“Danie Poolman, JJ Engelbrecht and Bryan Habana give us further depth at wing. Between Lionel Cronjé, Gary van Aswegen and Elgar Watts there is competition to assist Peter Grant at flyhalf. Elgar has impressed me very much so far."

"And we’re also sitting with three Springbok centres. I won't pick one of them on wing just because I can. Our opposition, where we want to attack, how we want to defend and who is currently playing the best and playing together are all factors playing a role in team choices."

For the Springboks' attempt at consecutive World Cup titles, this competition and possible rotation of players could have advantages.

One of South Africa's heroes in the World Cup tournament of 2007 was Danie Rossouw – a player who is regularly making an impact for the Bulls from the bench.

More fresh legs and well-managed players like him will be necessary if a much older Bok team wants to lift the World Cup on October 23 in New Zealand.

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