Western Province Rugby

Season wrap up Coach Allister Coetzee

Lindsey Rayner — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 09:35:30 +0200

Coach Allister Coetzee refused to make excuses in the aftermath of the loss to the Lions in the Absa Currie Cup semifinal. “It hurts that we could not secure a second consecutive Currie Cup final especially after finishing as the top SA team and home semifinalist in Super Rugby this year” said the coach.

“We understand fully the pain of the Faithful out there, maybe even more so. The players and management are equally if not more hungry for silverware and there was lot of disappointment and introspection in the camp. Congratulations to the Lions, they had continuity and cohesion and were good on the day. They deserved the win.”

The coach went on to point out that the season was not however all negative,” The disappointment of not making this year's final this year aside, I have not changed my mind on the value that this season will have into the future. The names of JJ and Sadie are bandied about in argument pointing to the failure of WP to develop and retain its youngsters and provide quality depth into the future.

The reality is however somewhat different. Those players contracts came to an end and we tried hard to keep them. That said there are fantastic structures in place at all levels and a big group of talented youngsters coming through the ranks. This season 16 U21 players received significant game time in the senior competition, with the bulk of them having signed with WP for the future.

It would have been easy to buy old experienced players for the Currie Cup season. We took the opposite route as a stated pre-season goal to continue the development of our youngsters to ensure depth for Super Rugby. Whilst it may be of little immediate consolation, that investment is a great one and will be of enormous value next season and into the future.”

“After a loss like this it is never easy for the coaches and players that really do give there all. Thank you to Faithful for your support, we will continue to do everything in our power to make to you proud. With this season over and our focus now switches firmly to Super Rugby 2012. “concluded the coach.

Allister on the win and season to date

Lindsey Rayner — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 09:09:09 +0200

Allister Coetzee praised the role the youngsters played this season in getting Province into a position to reach the play-offs, “We entered the season with two goals, one to do well in the competition and two to ensure we continued to develop our youngsters by playing them at this level. Given the injuries we faced and the number of youngsters we played, the result of all three teams making the play-offs speaks volumes of the structures that are now in place and of the pride and passion that the players have for the jersey.”

“It's been a tough season and passing this hurdle is very satisfying.” said the coach. “We will see the value of the investment in our youngsters into next season and beyond.”

On the game, the coach gave credit to a tough Pumas team effort. “They are a tough unit to beat and have taken a number of teams close. They are physical and certainly gave there all. Whilst we won tonight there was clearly a lack of cohesion and our set pieces were not accurate enough. That said I was however happy with the general attack. We have a lot to work on this week before we go to Joburg to play the Lions, but for tonight we will enjoy the fact that the three teams will contest semis”.

In closing the coach took time to thank the Faithful for their support. “There is nothing quite like it. Through thick and thin the Faithful are there - thank you!

Absa Currie Cup Review - Week 13

Lindsey Rayner — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 10:34:10 +0200

In a weekend of joy and heartbreak in the Absa Currie Cup Premier Division as the log-leading MTN Golden Lions clinched first position with one round left to play thanks to a great victory over DHL Western Province.

On the other side of the spectrum, GWK Griquas won a great match against the Vodacom Blue Bulls, all but knocking the team from Pretoria out of the competition.

While they still have a mathematical chance to qualify for the semifinals, the Blue Bulls and Griquas have to rely on a favour from the Ford Pumas next weekend. If the team in light blue don't make it through, it will be the first time since 2001 that they don't qualify for the knock-out phase of the Absa Currie Cup.

The Sharks and the Toyota Free State Cheetahs also qualified for the semifinals and next weekend's final round of league action will determine which of these two teams will have home ground advantage.

Absa Currie Cup final round fixtures:

Friday, 14 October

19:10: Vodacom Blue Bulls vs Platinum Leopards - Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria

Saturday, 15 October

15:00: Toyota FS Cheetahs vs GWK Griquas - Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein

17:05: DHL Western Province vs Ford Pumas - DHL Newlands, Cape Town

19:10: The Sharks vs MTN Golden Lions - Mr Price Kings Park, Durban

Ford Pumas 23 (7) Toyota Free State Cheetahs 29 (13)

A late yellow card to lock Eduan van der Walt probably cost the Ford Pumas as the Toyota Free State Cheetahs scored two tries against only 14 defenders to win this pulsating Absa Currie Cup match at the Puma Stadium in Witbank by 29-23.

When Van der Walt was sent to the sin bin in the 72nd minute, the Pumas were leading by 23-17 and on their way to a famous upset. But the Free Staters knuckled down as Sias Ebersohn and Andries Strauss scored late tries to seal the victory.

Like they've done for most of the 2011 season, the Pumas fought well above their weight and again came agonisingly close to beating a more-fancied opponent. They lead 13-7 at the break and even though the Cheetahs fought back, the home side extended their lead to 23-17 midway through the second half.

After this bonus point victory, the Cheetahs briefly moved into second position on the log, but they were down to third again on Saturday after The Sharks beat the Platinum Leopards in Phokeng.

Scorers:

Ford Pumas - Tries: Dewald Pretorius, Jaco Bouwer. Conversions: Carl Bezuidenhout (2). Penalties: Bezuidenhout (3).

Toyota Free State Cheetahs - Tries: Philip van der Walt, Marcel van der Merwe, Sias Ebersohn, Andries Strauss. Conversions: Sias Ebersohn (3). Penalty: Sias Ebersohn.

Teams:

Ford Pumas: 15 MJ Mentz, 14 Wilhelm Loock, 13 JW Jonker, 12 Dewald Pretorius, 11 Johan Jackson, 10 Carl Bezuidenhout, 9 Shaun Venter, 8 Christo le Roux, 7 Jaco Bouwer, 6 Corné Steenkamp (captain), 5 Eduan van der Walt, 4 JP Mostert, 3 Ashley Buys, 2 Pellow van der Westhuizen, 1 Dawie Steyn. Replacements: 16 Brett Nel, 17 Michael de Neuilly-Rice, 18 RW Kember, 19 Nico Mostert, 20 Hendrik van der Nest, 21 Coenie van Wyk, 22 Siviwe Magaba.

Toyota Free State Cheetahs: 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Ryno Benjamin, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Philip Snyman, 11 Cameron Jacobs, 10 Sias Ebersohn, 9 Piet van Zyl, 8 Ashley Johnson, 7 Philip van der Walt, 6 Pieter Labuschagne, 5 Izak van der Westhuizen, 4 Francois Uys, 3 WP Nel, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1 Marcel van der Merwe. Replacements: 16 Hercu Liebenberg, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 19 Boom Prinsloo, 20 Tewis de Bruyn, 21 Riaan Smit, 22 Andries Strauss.

GWK Griquas 48 (27) Vodacom Blue Bulls 44 (22)

GWK Griquas effectively ended the Vodacom Blue Bulls' semifinal charge and at the same time kept alive their own slim hopes of reaching the playoffs when they won a high-scoring match by 48-44 at GWK Park in Kimberley on Saturday afternoon.

Both teams scored six tries each, with Matthew Rosslee and Rocco Jansen both crossing twice for the home side and former Griquas wing Bjorn Basson, now in the colours of the Blue Bulls, also got a brace.

The visitors started both the first and second halves stronger, but each time they failed to keep up the pressure and Griquas fought back. The Bulls Blue lead 15-3 at one stage in the first half only to go into the break trialling 22-27.

Early in the second half the visitors were again rampant, even though their captain, Gary Botha, was sin-binned, and tries to Jano Vermaak and Jacques Potgieter saw them go ahead by 39-27, but three tries between the 60th and 70th minutes broke the Blue Bulls and gave Griquas the momentum.

The Blue Bulls made way too many unforced errors and even though they came back with a late try to secure two bonus points, it wasn't enough.

Scorers:

GWK Griquas - Tries: Rudi Vogt, Rocco Jansen (2), Dusty Noble, Matthew Rosslee (2). Conversions: Vogt (6). Penalties: Vogt (2).

Vodacom Blue Bulls - Tries: Bjorn Basson (2), Akona Ndungane, Jano Vermaak, Jacques Potgieter (2). Conversions: Louis Fouché (4). Penalty: Fouché. Drop goal: Fouché.

Teams:

GWK Griquas: 15 Rudi Vogt, 14 Dusty Noble, 13 Wilmaure Louw, 12 Matthew Rosslee, 11 Rocco Jansen, 10 Riaan Viljoen, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Leon Karemaker, 7 Justin Downey, 6 Jonathan Mokuena (captain), 5 George Earle, 4 Hendrik Roodt, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Ryno Barnes, 1 Ivann Espag. Replacements: 16 Simon Westraadt, 17 Steph Roberts, 18 Jaco Nepgen, 19 Burger Schoeman, 20 Marnus Hugo, 21 Earl Rose, 22 Fabian Juries.

Vodacom Blue Bulls: 15 Gerhard van Heever, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 Wynand Olivier, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Louis Fouché, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 CJ Stander, 7 Jacques Potgieter, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Juandré Kruger, 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Gary Botha (captain), 1 Dean Greyling. Replacements: 16 Willie Wepener, 17 Frik Kirsten, 18 Gerrit-Jan van Velze, 19 Arno Botha, 20 Dustin Jinka, 21 Francois Brummer, 22 Warwick Tecklenburg.

MTN Golden Lions 42 (20) DHL Western Province 25 (9)

Five tries to one tell the full story as the MTN Golden Lions secured first place on the Absa Currie Cup log with a solid 42-25 victory over DHL Western Province at Coca-Cola Park in Johannesburg on Saturday.

SA Under-20 fullback Jaco Taute got two of the Golden Lions' tries as they won the game in all facets of play.

Both hookers, Bandise Maku and his replacement Martin Bezuidenhout, also scored before Derick Minnie rounded off a good performance for the home team with a bullocking run to score after the hooter had sounded.

By contrast, DHL WP had to rely on the boot of their flyhalf Demetri Catrakilis to keep the scoreboard ticking over until Deon Fourie scored against the run of play in the 67th minute.

A bonus point victory next weekend in Cape Town over the Ford Pumas would be enough for DHL Western Province to advance to the semifinals, while the Golden Lions will have to wait to see who finishes fourth for their semifinal in Johannesburg.

Scorers:

MTN Golden Lions - Tries: Bandise Maku, Jaco Taute (2), Martin Bezuidenhout, Derick Minnie. Conversions: Elton Jantjies (4). Penalties: Jantjies (3).

DHL Western Province - Try: Deon Fourie. Conversion: Demetri Catrakilis. Penalties: Catrakilis (5). Drop goal: Catrakilis.

Teams:

MTN Golden Lions: 15 Jaco Taute, 14 Deon van Rensburg, 13 Doppies la Grange, 12 Alwyn Hollenbach, 11 Michael Killian, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Michael Bondesio, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Joshua Strauss (captain), 6 Derick Minnie, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Michael Rhodes, 3 Patric Cilliers, 2 Bandise Maku, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg. Replacements: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, 17 Jacobie Adriaanse, 18 David Bulbring, 19 Jaco Kriel, 20 Burton Francis, 21 Dylan des Fountain, 22 James Kamana.

DHL Western Province: 15 Conrad Jantjes, 14 Danie Poolman, 13 Berton Klaasen, 12 Marcel Brache, 11 JJ Engelbrecht, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Nick K�ster, 7 Siya Kolisi, 6 Nick Fenton-Wells, 5 De Kock Steenkamp, 4 Adriaan Fondse, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg (captain), 1 JC Kritzinger. Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Frans Malherbe, 18 Hilton Lobberts, 19 Nizaam Carr, 20 Pieter Louw, 21 Louis Schreuder, 22 Johann Sadie.

Platinum Leopards 14 (0) The Sharks 41 (15)

The score was big at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Phokeng on Saturday evening as The Sharks beat the Platinum Leopards by 41-14 in the final Absa Currie Cup game of the weekend.

And even though The Sharks kept alive their chances of a home semifinal, their victory perhaps wasn't as impressive as the score board showed, after they got two converted tries in the final three minutes when the physicality and intensity of the match clearly took its toll on the home team.

Nonetheless, The Sharks still scored six tries to the two of the Platinum Leopards, of which the second-half effort by Namibian Rugby World Cup winger Danie Dames was probably the best of the night.

Jean Deysel, again playing at lock, was probably the pick of the players on a night where Stefan Terblanche became the first player in history to record 100 games at Absa Currie Cup and Vodacom Super Rugby level for one provincial union.

Scorers:

Platinum Leopards - Tries: Johann Laker, Danie Dames. Conversions: Wesley Dunlop (2).

The Sharks - Tries: Adrian Jacobs, Jacques Botes, Lwazi Mvovo, Conrad Hoffmann, Keegan Daniel, Sibusiso Sithole. Conversions: Frederic Michalak (4). Penalty: Michalak.

Teams:

Platinum Leopards: 15 Hoffmann Maritz, 14 Danie Dames, 13 Charl Weideman, 12 Joubert Engelbrecht, 11 Vainon Willis, 10 Wesley Dunlop, 9 Johann Laker, 8 Robert Kruger, 7 Luvuyiso Lusaseni, 6 Philip de Wet, 5 Brad Mockford, 4 Brendon Snyman, 3 Dewald Coetzee, Gavin Williamson, Jean-Jacques Rossouw. Replacements: 16 Marius Fourie, 17 Alfred Wauts, 18 Christo van Niekerk, 19 Juan Pretorius, 20 Liam Slatem, 21 Clayton Durand, 22 Jovan Bowles.

The Sharks: 15 Gouws Prinsloo, 14 Sibusiso Sithole, 13 Adrian Jacobs, 12 Meyer Bosman, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Frederic Michalak, 9 Conrad Hoffmann, 8 Keegan Daniel (captain), 7 Marcell Coetzee, 6 Jacques Botes, 5 Ross Skeate, 4 Jean Deysel, 3 Eugene van Staden, 2 Kyle Cooper, 1 Dale Chadwick. Replacements: 16 Monde Hadebe, 17 Wiehahn Herbst, 18 Anton Bresler, 19 Jan Andre Marais, 20 Ross Cronje, 21 Marius Joubert, 22 Stefan Terblanche.

Lindsey Rayner — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 09:23:01 +0200

DHL WP 15- Sharks10 (halftime 7-7) - in their Absa Currie Cup match at Mr Price Kings Park in Durban on Saturday.

Western Province's tight five also deserve credit for a fine effort in matching their Sharks counterparts, while loose forward Siya Kolisi showed he will be a brilliant asset for the Capetonians going forward.

Given that the forward exchanges were fairly even, the fact that the Western Province backs had much more pace, verve and imagination than their counterparts makes their victory a most deserved one.

SCORERS:

The Sharks - Try: Jean Deysel. Conversion: Meyer Bosman. Penalty: Freddie Michalak.

DHL Western Province - Tries: Danie Poolman, Dewaldt Duvenhage. Conversion: Lionel Cronje. Penalty: Duvenhage.

Scrumhalf Dewaldt Duvenhage broke the hearts of the Sharks with a 78th-minute try to snatch a 15-10 (halftime 7-7) victory for DHL Western Province in their Absa Currie Cup match at Mr Price Kings Park in Durban on Saturday.

Duvenhage also kicked a crucial 61st-minute penalty to level the scores on a day when the various kickers from both sides failed with five of their nine kicks at goal.

It was no more than a young, injury-depleted Western Province side deserved for their courageous showing against a Sharks team that is chasing a home semifinal but failed to bring any spark or ambition to the game.

The Sharks' main problem lay in a turgid backline that was shuffled before kick-off with Meyer Bosman moving to flyhalf, Marius Joubert at inside centre and Stefan Terblanche at fullback. A competent pack, with locks Jean Deysel and Ross Skeate, and loose forwards Keegan Daniel and Marcell Coetzee to the fore, battered away at the brave Western Province defence, but the backline proved totally unable to make anything of all the front-foot ball.

Midway through the second half, Sharks coach John Plumtree made the extraordinary decision to replace his most dangerous back - outside centre Adrian Jacobs - and keep Bosman and Joubert on the field, as Freddie Michalak came on at flyhalf.

The Sharks made an excellent start to the game, camping in Western Province territory for the first 10 minutes before Deysel exploded over the tryline from close range, Bosman slotting a good conversion in gusty conditions (7-0).

The swirling wind would be too difficult for Western Province flyhalf Lionel Cronje, who missed penalties in the 17th and 20th minutes, but the visitors made a good second quarter count when Danie Poolman scored a 29th-minute try.

Western Province bashed away at the Sharks line from close range, before long passes out wide found wing Poolman, who stepped inside and then went out to score a fine try, well-converted by Cronje (7-7).

Western Province could have grabbed the lead three minutes before halftime as Poolman was quickly on to Terblanche, who tried to run a good kick from Cronje out of his own 22, earning a penalty, but the flyhalf pushed it wide.

Bosman would also be well wide with a penalty attempt before the break and the largely inexperienced Western Province team showed fine composure, patience, belief and determination to win a second-half arm-wrestle that was not pretty to watch.

Sharks replacement scrumhalf Charl McLeod was not quick enough to release in the tackle for referee Mark Lawrence's liking, Duvenhage slotting a tricky penalty to put Western Province in the lead for the first time (10-7) in the 61st minute.

The Sharks once again chained several phases together, relying on their forwards to do the hard work while their backs posed in overcast conditions, and hooker Kyle Cooper broke well to earn a penalty. Michalak, brought on to do a hospital job with ball in hand, kicked the penalty and the scores were level again (10-10) after 71 minutes.

It was what Michalak did afterwards though that would prove so costly for the Sharks. With just two minutes of regular time remaining, Michalak tried to chip through the excellent Western Province defence, but his kick was charged down. Duvenhage exploded into action, getting an exquisite little touch to the ball with his boot as the Sharks scrambled to cover, before the Paarl Gym product sped clear to regather and slide over the line for a fine try and a match-winning effort that could well be a crucial moment in Western Province's Currie Cup campaign.

Given that the forward exchanges were fairly even, the fact that the Western Province backs had much more pace, verve and imagination than their counterparts makes their victory a most deserved one.

Coetzee sees positives in home defeat

Lindsey Rayner — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 08:56:09 +0200

It is becoming a similar story for DHL WP coach Allister Coetzee. For the third week in a row his side gave up a big first half lead and despite an impressive second half comeback, Province were unable to pull it back as they went down 34-20 against the Toyota Free State Cheetahs.

The coach, however had words of praise for his young side who closed the gap to 4 points after being 24-6 down at half time. He said: “It was a great second half performance by the guys and we were even in a position to win the game towards the end. We were heavy on attack and had great chances - Marcel Brache was unable to gather on the line and JJ Engelbrecht was just not able to reach a pass to him as well.

“We must remember this is a young team and perhaps with a bit more experience they would have finished off those chances. This is where they get that experience so they will need to learn from these experiences. The two things we need to take out of this game are definitely how we start and the way we finish our chances.”

Speaking on the start that his team endured, he said: “The first 20 minutes we conceded 17 points and it is always going to be tough to come from that far behind. It is something that is happening too regularly so it is something we have to look at.

“The injuries have been a factor; with so many changes it is difficult to get cohesion. That being said we need to start games better as we cannot expect to turn over these deficits every week.”

Injury once again reared its ugly head again with eighthman Nick Koster suffering a neck injury and being stretchered off in the second half. Coetzee said that the intensity of the competition is taking its toll on the youngsters, but they need to learn to deal with the higher expectations at this level.

“Our boys put everything into it. Currie Cup is tough and there is no off-week in the competition. Your pain threshold has got to improve and something our young players have to get used to. There are a lot of bump and bruises after the game, but we will assess on Monday. We will get another 22 out there for the big challenge of the Sharks next weekend. We need to win at least 2 of our next 3 games so we will need to pick ourselves up this week.”

One of the major talking points from the game was the high penalty count, with Province earning 17 penalties to just 2 for the Cheetahs. Both Coetzee and Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske withheld comment until they had seen the video, but captain Tiaan Liebenberg did say that he asked the referee about warnings and cards for the opposition.

Attentions now turn to the Sharks, as DHL WP look to get back to winning ways this weekend.

Start not good enough - Coetzee

Lindsey Rayner — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 09:36:36 +0200

DHL WP coach Allister Coetzee was disappointed with how his team began in their 28-20 defeat to the Vodacom Blue Bulls at Loftus on Saturday.

The Cape side were always chasing the game and went into the half time break 20-3 down after two tries by the hosts in the first 20 minutes. However an impressive second half comeback through tries by Danie Poolman, Marcel Brache and Siya Kolisi brought Province back into the game.

Unfortunately in the end the gap was too big to catch up and Coetzee felt those opening exchanges were the difference between the two sides. He said: “It was a poor start and it was not good enough. Whilst the guys managed to pull it back in the second half, the game was already lost in the opening 20 minutes.

“The Blue Bulls came out firing and played a lot better than us at the start. They brought the intensity and perhaps some of our young guys might not have been expecting it. This was the first time many of them had been to Loftus and playing against a team with nine Springboks, our boys were a bit shocked by that intensity. No excuses though, we were not good enough at the start.”

Whilst the coach was understandably disappointed with how his team started the game, he was impressed with their performance in the second half where Province almost snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. “To claw back from 17 points and to put ourselves in a position to win was good to see. The boys showed the character that they have in the second half and started playing more towards our plan. The work rate and intensity picked up after half time, so that is definitely a positive that we can take away.”

Up next for Allister and the boys is the visit of the Cheetahs next weekend. Province could be without both Steven Kitshoff and Nic k Koster for the game. The two forwards both suffered knee injuries and will be assessed on Monday.

Despite the defeat, Province remains in second place on the Absa Currie Cup log and will be looking to get back on the winning trail against the men from Bloem On Saturday.

Scorers

Vodacom Blue Bulls - Tries: CJ Stander, Zane Kirchner, Wynand Olivier. Conversions: Francois Brummer (2). Penalties: Brummer (3).

DHL Western Province - Tries: Danie Poolman, Marcel Brache, Siya Kolisi. Conversion: Ismaeel Dollie. Penalty: Dollie.

Coetzee not happy despite victory

Lindsey Rayner — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 09:37:38 +0200

DHL WP coach Allister Coetzee was not happy with his side's performance despite our boys coming away with a 49-21 victory at home to the Leopards.

Province got off to a very slow start and were trailing by 11 points 20 minutes into the first half. Whilst the team did take the lead before half time, the coach rued the poor display in the opening stages of the game.

He said: “It was probably one of the worst starts we have had in a while. We had a chat about it afterwards, but it was not good enough after the fight we showed in last week's performance [at Griquas]. Our energy was down. We wasted a lot opportunities, we uncharacteristically slipped off tackles and our general play was just not up to scratch.

“We got the 5 points today which was vital and were able to try out some different combinations, but we cannot afford to give teams a start like that. If we trail by 15 points against the Bulls next week, we will have no chance so we will be focussing heavily on this aspect of our game next week.”

Captain Tiaan Liebenberg felt that decision making was one of the major problems for the young side in Saturday's clash. He said: “I know you don't want to use the age of the squad as an excuse, but the youngsters still need to learn. They need to learn when to play a free flowing game and when we must play structured. There is a fine line and we need to find the balance between the two. A lot of the mistakes today came from being too free flowing and not enough in our structures. This is a learning curve and I am sure the guys will learn from this as they move forward.”

Whilst it wasn't the best display, Coetzee did find some positives in the victory. “I thought that our lineout and set pieces were improved today. Tertius Daniller made a big difference in the lineout and he was all over the place today - in a good way.

“It was also good to see Siya [Kolisi] back and fully recovered from his injury. I have a tough choice to make at No 7 next week with Siya and Tertius both in contention. Whenever you play the Blue Bulls you need to have your most powerful players in the team. With this in mind we will analyse the video and I will make a decision as to who will play, but it is a good headache to have.”

Our boys travel to Loftus next Saturday to face their fierce rivals from the north. Coetzee has two injury concerns ahead of the game with both Steven Hunt and Wicus Blaauw leaving the field during the game. Both will be assessed on Monday.

DHL WP - Tries: Tertius Daniller, Nick Fenton-Wells, Danie Poolman, Nic Groom, Brok Harris, Siya Kolisi. Conversions: Isma-eel Dollie (3), Dewaldt Duvenhage (2). Penalties: Dollie (3).

Leopards - Tries: Whestley Moolman, Joubert Engelbrecht, Hoffman Maritz. Conversions: Clayton Durand (2), Andrew van Wyk.

A bonus point win in Kimberley is special - Coetzee

Lindsey Rayner — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 09:39:44 +0200

Any team that leaves Kimberley with maximum points is always going to be delighted with their efforts. This was no different for DHL WP who earned an impressive 41-35 victory against GWK Griquas in their backyard.

Coach Allister Coetzee knew that facing Griquas away was always going to be a tough match so he was very happy to come away with the win, particularly after going 15-0 down early on. Speaking after the game on Saturday he said: “It was a fantastic victory for us. It is never easy coming to Kimberly so to come away with the bonus point is really a special achievement.

“You never come here and win with talent and skill alone; you also need to have some fight and this is exactly what we told the guys. The guys showed their mental toughness and physicality. We knew that we may concede points, but the team showed great character to keep playing hard and never gave in. Many of these guys have never even played in Kimberley before so it was a fantastic performance by our young side.”

One of the most pleasing elements of the clash was the team's attacking play with Province running in seven tries on their road to victory. Coetzee felt that the conditions suited a more free-flowing game plan. He said: “This was our first game since week one that we have had a 3pm kickoff. This meant it was hot and dry and this combined with a very hard pitch allowed us to play attacking rugby. Our guys exploited the condition well so we are very proud of their efforts.”

Whilst the coaching staff were no doubt pleased with the result, Coetzee admitted there were a few things that the team still need to work on. “This was certainly not a complete performance. We made mistakes that allowed them back into the game. We conceded too many tries straight from scoring that kept them in the game. I think we also gave away a few soft penalties so we will definitely have to look at this in the week.

“That being said I was very happy with the set pieces. I think we did well against a very big Griquas pack so that is certainly encouraging.”

Having been away for the last two weeks, DHL WP can look forward to a clash at home against the Leopards next weekend. With no major injury concerns from the last game the side will begin preparing for their return to DHL Newlands on Monday in high spirits and will look to build on the winning culture that they have created over the last few weeks.

SCORERS

GWK Griquas - Tries: Rudi Vogt (2), Davon Raubenheimer (2), Marnus Schoeman. Conversions: Vogt (2). Penalties: Vogt, Riaan Viljoen.

DHL Western Province - Tries: Tiaan Liebenberg, Nick Koster, Dewaldt Duvenhage, Conrad Jantjes, JJ Engelbrecht (2), Johann Sadie. Conversions: Demetri Catrakilis (3).

WP see off plucky Pumas

Lindsey Rayner — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 09:04:41 +0200

DHL Western Province were hamstrung by two yellow cards but still managed to beat a resurgent Ford Pumas 24-13 (halftime 14-3) in an Absa Currie Cup Premier Division match played at the Puma Stadium in Witbank on Friday night.

Video highlights

The visitors lost fullback Conrad Jantjes for the first 10 minutes of the second half and eighthman Nick Koster for the final ten, but Allister Coetzee's men still had just that bit more class than a plucky home side who played infinitely better than during their calamitous 80-16 defeat to the Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein last week.

Province's victory, coming on the back of their 28-26 downing of the log-leading Lions at Newlands last week, was their fourth in seven outings, and takes them up to 22 points on the log standings.

For the Pumas, this was their seventh consecutive defeat and coach Jimmy Stonehouse has much work to do if he is to turn the Puma ship around - although the encouraging manner in which his side fronted up to WP bodes well for the second half of the season.

Certainly, the way they finished this game, with eighthman Doppies le Roux capping yet another fine performance with a try in the corner from the final movement, showed just why the Mpumalanga side have been such tough customers over the years.

The enthusiastic crowd, many of whom were wearing the blue and white streeptrui, witnessed an entertaining, end-to-end affair that initially looked as if it was going to be one-way traffic.

WP's first try came in the 11th minute when Johann Sadie burst through, but it was the centre's contribution to the second, scored on the half hour, that had those WP supporters in the crowd - of which there were many - on their feet.

Replacement centre Marcel Brache, on for injured former UCT teammate Tim Whitehead, kicked off what proved to be an inspired performance off the bench by putting Sadie through a gap. The No 13 then fed JJ Engelbrecht, and the long-legged left winger jinked past two defenders to dot down behind the posts.

Catrakilis once again made no mistake with the conversion, but missed a difficult opportunity to make it 17-0 shortly afterwards when his 50-metre penalty attempt hit the upright.

The Pumas eventually got onto the scoreboard just before halftime when flyhalf Coenie van Wyk succeeded with a straightforward penalty, although the former Matie pivot would have been disappointed not to cut the deficit to eight points when another attempt after the hooter sailed wide.

Not that WP got off lightly - the penalty came about after WP fullback Conrad Jantjes was adjudged by referee Stuart Berry to have committed a professional foul, ensuring that the visitors would be down to 14 men for the first 10 minutes of the second period.

Nevertheless it was WP who had the first chance to score after the break, but Catrakilis' penalty attempt from 45 metres flew to the left of the uprights.

Minutes later it was Sadie who again sliced through the Pumas' defences before chipping ahead, with only a last-gasp tackle preventing him from picking up his brace.

The Pumas meanwhile were halted by basic errors and a tendency to play too much expansive rugby in their own half, which allowed WP to set up camp in their opponents' territory for long stretches.

From one such mistake, which saw a promising Pumas backline move end with a nowhere pass into touch, WP very nearly scored from the lineout, right wing Steven Hunt, the Bok sevens player, being denied in the corner.

But no sooner had play restarted than it was the Pumas who fought their way back into the game through a breakaway, Hendrik van der Nest winning the race to a loose ball after a great chip-and-chase.

Catrakilis restored the buffer with a penalty after Sadie had been flattened by a high tackle, before halfback partner Dewaldt Duvenhage dived over under the posts for a seven-pointer to make it a 16-point game, after move good work from the trio of Brache, Engelbrecht and Sadie.

With 10 minutes to go, however, WP were once again reduced to 14 men when eighthman Koster was sin-binned for an early tackle with the Pumas on attack, but despite Le Roux's late heroics it was the visitors who had done just enough to take home four hard-earned points.

SCORERS:

Pumas 13 - Tries: Hendrik van der Nest, Doppies le Roux. Penalty: Coenie van Wyk.

Western Province 24 - Tries: Johann Sadie, JJ Engelbrecht, Dewaldt Duvenhage. Conversions: Demetri Catrakilis (3). Penalty: Catrakilis.

An important win for the growth of this team

Lindsey Rayner — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 08:58:03 +0200

Allister Coetzee declared himself happy with the 3 wins from 3 at DHL Newlands on Friday. Both the DHL WP U19 (40-22) and U21 (18-17) teams secured victories against the Lions to remain unbeaten in their competitions. Then it was the turn of the senior team to snatch victory from the unbeaten log leaders from Johannesburg. It went to the wire, but after two close losses to the Sharks and Cheetahs it was both what the fans wanted and the team needed. “We are happy with the win, but maybe more importantly tonight saw 4 u20 and 2 u21 players in the senior team, with Quinn Roux and Nazeem Carr both getting their first senior Province caps. I was proud of them against what was pretty much a full Super Rugby team. They showed guts and played as a team for the jersey to come from behind and hold on at the end.” said the coach.

In a season when the coach has emphasised the dual goals of doing well in the competition and continuing to develop the young talent that will be so crucial to the depth required for Super Rugby next season, the hard fought win was an important step on that path of development. “The youngsters still have a way to go, but they are making strides. They are coming through and standing up at this level, which clearly bodes well for the future. We were close in the last 2 games and this win was psychologically an important step. Also don't forget the impact us drawing heavily on the youngsters has on the fortunes of the u21 team who play without a number of their top players - so their win was a good one as well.” added the coach. “The structures are starting to deliver.”

The win however didn't come without injuries with Siya Kolisi (hamstring), Pieter Louw (ribs) and Danie Poolman (shoulder) all sustaining injuries during the game.

Next week it's the Pumas away.