The Butch factor

As if Western Province's flyhalf concerns were not bad enough, Demetri Catrakilis will have to square up to the physical Butch James on Saturday.

An unfortunate series of injuries has left the Kings-bound Catrakilis as the only option in the No.10 jersey for Western Province this weekend, and with Elton Jantjies on Springbok duty the destructive James will be his direct opponent.

Province backline coach Rob Fleck admitted that the injuries to Kurt Coleman and Gary van Aswegen have put serious pressure on the squad, but backed Catrakilis to meet the physical challenge that James will provide head-on.

"It is quite freakish the way that these things happen. It happened to us last year in the flyhalf position and it happened to us this year in the flank position.

"We are having to play Louis Schreuder as our ten cover for this weekend and possibly looking at Tim Swiel as the potential option going forward.

"Butch is a nice and physical chap and regardless of our injury situation Butch is going to put them under pressure anyway. Demetri has played against him before so he has handled it and Dim [Catrakilis] is not shy to play big games and it is another big one for him," he told this website.

Fleck believes that James has had a vital role in the development of the Lions' game this year, and credited the Springbok veteran for having a heavy influence on their tactical approach.

"I think Butch has been fantastic, he has been around the block, he is still a wily old fox and he is a master tactician.

I think he has changed the Lions' gameplan a little bit over the last couple of weeks. We definitely feel that he has had a tactical influence on their game.

"He is a senior player there so he marshalls the troops and brings an organised approach to the Lions. Obviously they are going to miss that x-factor of Jantjies and the width that he gives them along with the likes of Taute but Butch for me is still a superb player.

"He has still got a bit of life in him and when he is on song then he can hands-down beat any team that he wants to," said Fleck.

Fleck said that James' influence has meant that the Lions are now a more rounded side that can create pressure through both possession and territorial dominance.

"They are a little bit more tactically clever now and a bit more organised. They have brought a decent kicking game to their approach whereas last year they were pretty much just a running team.

"They are not the team that hangs on to the ball forever and ever like they did last year, they kick in the right areas and they bring a massive attacking kicking game through Coetzee, Jantjies and even Butchy who puts those little dinks in behind, so they put you under pressure.

"They are pretty comfortable without the ball whereas a couple of months ago they weren't. They are very much a different side, but a very dangerous side and I feel a more complete side than what they have been in the past," he said.

By Michael de Vries