Province Boks add 'something special'

Western Province coach Allister Coetzee on Monday returned to base at the High Performance Centre in Bellville in Cape Town with much satisfaction.

He can prepare his team with some confidence for the upcoming Currie Cup semifinal against the Golden Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday.

"It is a good thing that we have our Boks back, and they will bring something special to the party, however we need to prepare well and execute on the field or it can quickly fall apart," said Coetzee.

Province picked up a crucial win and secured the tallying bonus point against the Pumas on Saturday in what was the last home game at Newlands this season.

Although many expect Province to win the game comfortably with the return of six Springboks, their upcoming fixture against a rampant hungry Lions outfit may not be as easy.

The last time the two sides played each other with the sides at full strength was earlier this year during the Super XV competition with the Stormers beating the Lions on both occasions.

Although the Lions narrowly suffered their first defeat (28-26) against Province earlier in the Currie Cup season at Newlands, they made up for that defeat by beating Province 42-25 two weeks ago.

What tips the scale in Western Province's favour is the fact that they know the Highveld conditions having played at the same venue just two weeks ago and they will presumably face the same Lion's team, which will run on to the park on Saturday.

"What the Lions have successfully achieved this year is the fact that they have kept the same squad throughout the Super 15 and Currie Cup seasons respectively.

"This momentum against an experienced Province outfit puts all things equal," said Coetzee.

"We have trained with consistent structures for three years and we have to put that experience and effort on the field for a full 80 minutes on Saturday."

Coetzee confirmed that there were no major injury concerns in his team.

"Demetri Catrakilis came off against the Pumas with a concussion scare, but he has been cleared by the medical team and will be training this week.

"JJ Engelbrecht sat out training and is recovering from bruises and bumps, but will be back in practice."

SAPA