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Cape Town - Western Province have had an up and down Currie Cup season so far, but coach John Dobson knows that the next two weeks will ultimately determine whether 2015 was a successful year or not.
The defending champions travel to Loftus on Friday for a last four clash with the Blue Bulls. If they are to secure a place in the final, they will need to be far better than they were on August 22 when they went down 47-29 in Pretoria.
That was the first of three losses for WP in the regular season, and while seven out of 10 isn't bad it ensured that Dobson's men finished in third behind the Blue Bulls and the undefeated Lions.
"It’s a mixed bag. If we got a home semi I’d be sitting here happy and we got reasonably close. To not get a home semi is disappointing," said Dobson.
The coach added that the 62-32 loss to the Golden Lions at Ellis Park two weekends ago was also a black mark on the WP season.
"We knew at the start of the season that the Lions were the bolters. That defeat to the Lions took a hell of a knock. If we had won that game or came very close I would sit here reasonably satisfied," he said.
"I would say 'average' is my feeling at the moment, but it comes down to the next two weeks. The next two weeks determine the season, but it is uncomfortable not hosting a semi."
Friday night's clash kicks off at 19:10.
Teams:
Blue Bulls:
TBA
Western Province:
15. Cheslin Kolbe, 14. Dillyn Leyds, 13. Johnny Kotze, 12. Juan de Jongh (captain), 11. Seabelo Senatla, 10. Robert du Preez, 9. Nic Groom, 8. Nizaam Carr, 7. Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 6. Rynhardt Elstadt, 5. Ruan Botha, 4. Jean Kleyn, 3. Wilco Louw, 2. Bongi Mbonambi, 1. Steven Kitshoff
Substitutes: 16. Michael Willemse, 17. Oli Kebble, 18. Chris van Zyl, 19. Jurie van Vuuren, 20. Jano Vermaak, 21. Kurt Coleman, 22. Huw Jones
