Vodacom Western Province coach Alister Coetzee on Wednesday included his three returning Springboks in his side for Saturday’s Absa Currie Cup clash with the Blue Bulls at Newlands.
And two Emerging Springboks Isma-eel Dollie and Morgan Newman have been included on the substitutes’ bench. They have just returned from representing their country in the Nations Cup tournament in Romania.
Centre Gcobani Bobo, wing Tonderai Chavhanga en hooker Schalk Brits are the unlucky ones who missed out on Springbok selection for the away leg of the Vodacom Tri-Nations series. Coetzee had no hesitation though to bolster his side with these experienced players.
Bobo replaces PJ Vermeulen, who was lauded for his performance last Friday against the Natal Sharks by Coetzee. Chavhanga takes over at left wing from Joe Pietersen. Brits is the new starting hooker in place of Deon Fourie, who produced an outstanding performance against the Sharks.
Coetzee said his team would have to sharpen up on their discipline, which was not up to scratch against the Sharks. “I was upset about our lack of discipline against the Sharks. I am not going to concentrate too much on whether the laws were applied correctly, but rather look at my team.
“The penalty count against us was way too high and we have to correct matters. We need to work harder on the correct application of the laws.” Coetzee said another aspect they need to improve on is the managing of their hard-earned possession.
“We need to be sharper on the attack, then things will go so much better on Saturday,” added the former Springbok assistant coach.
Coetzee said the team struggled in the second half in Durban, but finished strongly after founding a bit of rhythm again. He was, however, confident that they will be ready for whatever the Bulls might throw at them on Saturday.
“We are ready for their onslaught and we are playing at home, where it is very important for us to win.”
Vodacom WP:
15. Gio Aplon
14. Wylie Human
13. Dylan Des Fountain
12. Gcobani Bobo
11. Tonderai Chavhanga
10. Willem De Waal
9. Alastair Siegelaar
8. AJ Venter
7. Francois Louw
6. Pieter Myburgh
5. Ross Skeate (C)
4. Adriaan Fondse
3. Brok Harris
2. Schalk Brits
1. Schalk Ferreira
Reserves:
16. Deon Fourie
17. Wikus Blaauw
18. Francois Van Der Merwe
19. Justin Melck
20. Paul Delport
21. Isma-eel Dollie
22. Morgan Newman
Referee: Marius Jonker.
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I must say that Deon Fourie looks a good prospect.
Wonder what ever happened to Shimange?
These changes IMHO does not strengthen the team. Fourie was the standout forward against the Sharks. Vermeulen did all that was asked of him and then some… Petersen in fairness was a spectator, but without the ball Chavhanga will be one as well.
Shimange is recovering from another injury… i think he must have had about 15 minutes game time in the last 2 years! Just a few more minutes than Chilliboy.
@Ragged (Comment 2) : Shimange captained WP for most of the Vodacom Cup. I’m not sure when he got injured, must’ve been towards the end of that.
Look like Shimange is a MNet commentator these days. Agree on PJ. Thought he had a good game vs the Sharks and showed some nice touches. Other then that look like a pretty good team. We just have to murder the brutes at the breakdown and spin it wide. Stil thinking about packing the ossewa to Newlands on saturday.
So much for 15 minutes in the last 2 years hey Ragged…
He played quite a few VC games for WP in the last few months
I am also thinking of going PB.
Not sure if I will be allowed though… like i told Claytie recently… married life is a sacrifice… 🙄
Sharks team announced:
Sharks Lineup
15. Stefan Terblanche
14. Lwazi Mvovo
13. Waylon Murray
12. Andries Strauss
11. Henno Mentz
10. Bradley Barritt /Andrew Borgen
9. Rory Kockott
8. Keegan Daniel
7. Steven Sykes
6. Jacques Botes
5. Johann Muller (Capt)
4. Alistair Hargreaves
3. Jannie du Plessis
2. Craig Burden
1. Deon Carstens
Replacements
16. Skipper Badenhorst
17. Robbie Harris
18. Nikolai Blignaut
19. Skholiwe Ndlovu
20. Charl McLeod
21. Riaan Swanepoel
22. Monty Dumond
@molly (Comment 3) : Cheers for that Molly , to be honest I never watched much Vodacom cup …. much to exciting for me. I saw Shimange on Boots and All with his hand strapped so that is how I knew he was injured.
Jokes apart the WP side looks okay, they still lack a front row. But then I suppose the new laws will suit them ( fewer scrums). Bulls will be a handful as always I would not like to give odds on this game. maybe the deceive factor will be a partisan crowd screaming PROVIIIIIIIINCE at every breakdown.
I see Brad may not play – that’s not good.
Nessa
Now watch the Sharks smash the log leaders since Brad aint in the team…
He really aint that great a player you know…
@wpw (Comment 10) :
Yes – must agree with you there. 😉 They don’t need him – they have plenty of depth in the flyhalf position. 😀
Nessa
Seriously though, the Sharks should really get them a decent flyhalf cos i think they are struggling ever since Butch left.
And now that he’s gone he is playing the best rugby of his career.
@wpw (Comment 12) :
I know – there is a serious gap there. I know they are expecting Fred back – but we need a full time flyhalf. It is a problem.
He is hey? Murphy’s law.
@Nessa (Comment 7) :
Thanks for that Nessa…couple of chinks in the armour but all the bigger teams are in the same boat without their Boks…..flyhalf is a major Sharks problem
Unlucky not to tour….Ha-Ha-Ha
@Hmmm (Comment 15) :
Is this the SharksWorld version of the Brannasnacht thread!??!
I just realised what you guys are doing… This is a damn WP site!
Please post the Sharks team on your own thread!!! 👿
Bobo at 12!??! That is not a good selection…he has not hands!??! and gets stepped easily…
And how embarrassing will it be if Meisiekind steps him!??!
Sorry, i meant WP thread!!! 🙄
@Hmmm (Comment 18) :
See the flyhalf pass with Bobo chip kicking it either into Ma se oulike Meisiekind’s hands or Mametsa’s ahnds who will the def score around Chav’s…
@wpw (Comment 10) : 👿
Ag Rob.
You know I’ve got nothing but luuuurv for you buddy…
My ‘black friend trapped in a white man’s body’
@Hmmm (Comment 18) :
With Willem at fly-half it doesn’t matter who the rest of the line outside him are…
DP
I’m at the stage where I really couldn’t care less… if he helps us win the CC it won’t matter.
@wpw (Comment 22) :
Jinne so you run after every man on this site!??!
@Dive Pass (Comment 23) :
Why? Wil;lem does not kick that often!??! Yes he is a kicking flyhalf but he can run it up and pass…
@wpw (Comment 24) :
Ah WPW it’s a sad day when a WP man who loves his rugby starts saying things like that…. next thing you will asking Alistair to model his game plan on the one the Bulls have been using for the last 100 years or so
I can’t believe Steyn is only 23…feels like he has been around forever….
@Dive Pass (Comment 27) :
If it helps them win the CC….LoL
DP
Its about winning trophies isn’t it??? 😀
@wpw (Comment 30) :
Untill teh Bulls beat you with their boring rugby ne
We’ll just have to wait and see né Hmmm
@wpw (Comment 32) :
I guess….
@Hmmm (Comment 28) : Which Steyn you talking about?