WP roll with the punches

The loss of Duane Vermeulen and Juan de Jongh to the Springbok squad is just one more obstacle for Western Province in a demanding season.

Coach Allister Coetzee has had to try and focus on the challenge the Blue Bulls will pose at Newlands this weekend amidst some uncertainty over who would be available, which he admits has not made things any easier.

"It is always a big blow to have these quality players being called-up, but we do always aim to produce Springbok players amongst us," Coetzee said.

"It is a little disruptive in planning for the game ahead as they are here one minute and then gone the next, but we have to be good enough to prepare against a quality side like the Blue Bulls," he added.

Coetzee has had to deal with a considerable injury toll, and his side have not got off to a blazing start with just one victory from their three games so far, so there is already considerable pressure on the Cape side to turn the corner.

Despite these difficulties the Western Province boss is confident that the players he has are capable of pulling off a victory in the North-South derby at Newlands on Saturday.

"We know that any stage we have to perform well against a Blue Bulls side on any given day, but I back my players and know we have what it takes to beat them.

"This is a very important game and it's a home game for us, so we need to play a lot better than we did last week and I'm sure we're going to do that," said Coetzee.

The loss of Vermeuelen and De Jongh means that Jebb Sinclair will start at No.8 and JP du Plessis will be back at outside centre, and with these amongst several changes the home side will have it all to prove on Saturday.