Currie Cup semi-final 2017
Dobson: No doubt Willemse is capable of breaking a game open De Bruin: Van der Walt will have enough time to practise
“WE’VE GOT an exciting secondhalf plan with Damian and Jano.”
Those were Western Province coach John Dobson’s words regarding his backline selection that saw Damian Willemse drop to the bench for their semi-final clash against the Golden Lions at Newlands tomorrow (5pm kickoff ).
Dobson has gone with Robert du Preez at flyhalf and Dillyn Leyds at fullback, and at the team announcement yesterday, the WP coach explained that the 19-yearold Willemse, along with the other replacements, can “put a game away”.
Regarding the backline selection, Dobson said: “We experimented last week to try and keep him (Leyds), Damian and Rob on the field. But I think we saw enough of Dillyn last week on the wing. I think he’s probably our best fullback at the union, so to get maximum use out of him…
“One of the questions asked last week was why we waited so long with our bench, and if you’re chasing a game – in terms of creativity or if we want to put a game away – to have (Sikhumbuzo) Notshe, (Jano) Vermaak, Willemse and (Werner) Kok is pretty special. So it gives us more strength to add impact than we did in the last one.
“There’s no doubt Damian Willemse is capable of breaking a game open.”
Dobson gave a few good reasons for backing Du Preez at flyhalf, not only yesterday, but last week as well. But, as Dobson has repeatedly said, Willemse is “the future of the union”. So why not back “the future” in the biggest game of their campaign?
Yes, Willemse has made a couple of mistakes in a few games, but how is he going to grow if his role in such an important contest is reduced to providing X-factor off the bench?
Du Preez has been reliable in the No 10 jersey, and he was instrumental in WP’s win over the Sharks last week. But Willemse also needs to be groomed for next year. And then there is also the fact that Du Preez has been strongly liked with a move to the Sharks next year.
It’s completely understandable that Dobson wants to get this game in the pocket, WP have to. And at the end of the day he should do whatever it takes to get the win.
But it should also be remembered that Willemse is a young, black player, a player that is a natural in one of the most important positions in the game. He needs to be nurtured, he needs to be developed, and that’s not going to happen by shielding him in the games that matter.
As I said before, Du Preez has done well in recent weeks, and like Dobson said last week – horses for courses. But, at the very least, Willemse could have featured at fullback (although I believe he is a flyhalf and he should be developed as such).
Leyds has the ability to produce massive play from the back and on the wing, and if he was picked out wide again, Willemse could have started at fullback.
Again, Dobson’s reasoning makes sense. It’s a semi-final and WP need to produce not only a winning performance, but one that will give them confidence for the final as well. I just hope Willemse is backed and given the best chance to develop as the great flyhalf he can become. Not only one for the small occasions, but for the big ones as well. THE GOLDEN LIONS have full confidence flyhalf and goal-kicker Jaco van der Walt will be ready for whatever Newlands throws his way when his team come up against Western Province in the Currie Cup semi-final tomorrow.
Three years ago in the final of the competition, the Lions kickers missed five penalties and two dropgoal attempts as they lost 19-16 to Province. It was learned afterwards that the Lions had only arrived in Cape Town on the morning of the match and that ace goal-kicker Marnitz Boshoff hadn’t had enough time to prepare on the Newlands turf and get accustomed to the conditions.
Come kickoff and a strong breeze, Boshoff was completely put off his game... and it cost his team what should have been a win. The Lions had dominated the game, but the home team slotted their kicks.
“This time we’re going early,” said Lions coach Swys de Bruin when asked about that final. “Jaco will have enough time to practice on Friday afternoon.”
Van der Walt has a massive game ahead of him. He has played mainly at fullback this season, but last week shifted to No 10 – a position he is familiar with – and delivered a standout performance in helping the Lions beat the Free State Cheetahs.
“Jaco’s a tough, physical player who always seems to play well in the big games,” enthused De Bruin. “Whether he’s at (No) 10 or 12 he just does his job. He’s really looked good in the last two weeks.”
Indeed. But Newlands hasn’t been kind to the Lions in the recent past; their last Currie Cup triumph coming at the ground way back in 2012.
The team that runs out tomorrow includes only three men who were victorious that day, namely Andries Coetzee, Ross Cronje and Ruan Dreyer, the scrumhalf playing off the bench.
“We’ve tried to instil in this group that it doesn’t matter where you play, that what happens between the four white lines remain the same,” said De Bruin. “I think since we beat the Chiefs (in Hamilton in Super Rugby in 2016) we’ve not been bothered by away matches. The key thing is to just focus on the job at hand and not worry about outside influences.”
Captain Jacques van Rooyen agreed with his coach that the players were viewing the game as just another game. “We just want to go out there and play, achieve our goals, get over the gain-line and the rest will take care of itself. We don’t want to concentrate on where the game is taking place or think that it’s a difficult venue.”
De Bruin has picked all five of his available Springboks, with hooker Malcolm Marx and prop Dreyer joining Cronje, Coetzee and Courtnall Skosan in the starting team this week. De Bruin said it was great having these players available again.
“Their attitude coming in has been unreal and of course they make a big impact,” said the coach. “Being able to pick a guy like Malcolm is nice, he inspires everyone around him. But, rugby remains a team sport and from every Bok to a player like 20-year-old (flank) Len Massyn, everyone needs to contribute and everyone needs to make an impact.
“We’re excited about the game and the challenge ahead. Rugby stays a game of heart... and I believe the team that wants it more will win on Saturday.”