IT’S been a tough old Currie Cup for Western Province, with just two wins out of seven matches, but they are still in with a chance of reaching the semi-finals.
However, they can’t afford to slip up for the rest of the season, starting with today’s clash with the Sharks at Cape Town Stadium (3pm start).
Their only victories have come against bottom-of-the-log Griffons, home and away, which sees WP in sixth place on the log with 14 points.
The Sharks occupy the last semi-final spot on the standings in fourth, with 21 points, with the Pumas, who face the winless Griffons in Welkom tomorrow, fifth on 19.
After the Sharks encounter, WP face the Pumas in Cape Town on September 1 and round off their league campaign against Griquas in Kimberley on September 6, both of which they can win.
But the Sharks are in a confident mood at the moment following a four-match unbeaten run, including away wins over the Lions and Cheetahs, a home victory against Griquas and a 44-44 draw with the Pumas in Mbombela.
Province have maintained throughout that the Currie Cup is being used to blood youngsters, with Junior Springbok captain Zachary Porthen among them.
But assistant coach Dawie Snyman said yesterday after announcing a side with a few changes once more that they hope to finish the tournament in convincing fashion.
After losing Steven Kitshoff to the Springboks this week, WP welcome back regular captain and No 8 Willie Engelbrecht, as well as experienced wing Courtnall Skosan from injury, but have lost centres Wandisile Simelane (family reasons) and Damian Markus (concussion).
There is also a new lock pairing in André Goedhals and Enos Ndiao, while former Maties Varsity Cup star Vernon Matongo replaces Kitshoff at loosehead prop.
Your DHL WP team for the Carling Currie Cup coastal clash at DHL Stadium on Saturday. 🔵⚪️
— WP RUGBY (@WP_RUGBY) August 23, 2024
📢 Team announcement https://t.co/TozFg5EI54#WPvSHA #wpjoulekkerding #dhldelivers pic.twitter.com/QSVSAufnJu
“It’s not ideal to lose both centres, as they have actually been going well. We knew about Wandi a few weeks ago, that he couldn’t play this weekend,” Snyman said.
“But losing Damian, who was tracking nicely, is a blow. But Josh Boulle has shown a lot of potential and has been training well, so we’ll see how he goes with a start.
“Vernon has been brilliant – we’re happy with him. It was nice for Zach (Porthen) to have that combination with Steven and Scarra (Ntubeni) against the Lions – and Steven was still playing until Tuesday afternoon, when he was announced in the Bok squad.
“But it’s an opportunity for Vernon to play with Zach and Scarra with the experience.
“There’s definitely a tough test waiting for them, but it’s youngsters we believe in and know can play for the Stormers.
“Even after last weekend’s performance (a 41-22 defeat to the Lions in Johannesburg), I told them afterwards that it’s not easy being a Stormer. You need to be able to be tough, and be in tough scenarios and play well.
“They are going to be tested tomorrow, but it’s good for their development and learning.
“We are seven points behind the Sharks in fourth, so this game is massive in terms of that. We are not focusing too much on log points, but discussing the importance of the game, getting that victory.”
Western Province Team
15 JC Mars 14 Courtnall Skosan 13 Luke Burger 12 Joshua Boulle 11 Angelo Davids 10 Jurie Matthee 9 Dewaldt Duvenage 8 Willie Engelbrecht (captain) 7 Louw Nel 6 Paul de Villiers 5 André Goedhals 4 Enos Ndiao 3 Zachary Porthen 2 Scarra Ntubeni 1 Vernon Matongo.
Bench: 16 JJ Kotze 17 Mhleli Khuzwayo 18 Corné Weilbach 19 Hendré Stassen 20 Sibusiso Sangweni 21 Divan Fuller 22 Imad Khan 23 Kyle Smith.