Kok is ready for a change of pace
WERNER KOK still has many years to play for the Springboks Sevens side and maybe even upgrade his bronze medal to a gold one, but the Olympian believes that it is now time for him to make a transition into the 15-man game.
Kok made his senior debut for Western Province in their 36-6 win over the Eastern Province Kings in Port Elizabeth last Saturday, three years after wearing the streeptrui at Under-19 level.
But Kok didn’t look rusty at all. He started on the right wing and looked dangerous with ball in hand and also crossed over the whitewash for a try, but the five-pointer was disallowed due to a forward pass in the build-up.
“It was something new again. The guys next to me on the field made it so much easier, the coaching staff right next to the field as well,” a smiling Kok told the local media at training this week.
“They kept on talking to me. I’m happy. There’s still so many things I can do better, but I think that will come with time.
“It would have been sweet if I had scored a try in my first Currie Cup match,” he added.
While he is still contracted to the Blitzboks for two more years, Kok now wants to shift his focus to the Currie Cup, and the 15-man game.
“At this moment, I’m here for the Currie Cup. I think it’s time to make that transition, but we’ll see in the future how it goes,” he said.
WP coach John Dobson had previously said that Kok could be used at outside centre, but he would prefer to ease him back into the 15-man set-up on the wing.
Asked if he would prefer to wear the No 13 jersey, Kok said: “I think only time will tell that. We have brilliant outside and inside centres. With Dan (du Plessis) out it is tough, but I’m sure there are a few centres there that can back up. But like I said, only time will tell.”
Dobson has praised Kok’s strength and how he is able to assist WP keep the ball up, as well as his ability to compete at the breakdowns. Yet the 23-year-old feels that there are still areas of his game that he needs to improve on.
“I think small things, like just closing the space at the back and working back and not just standing in the line defending and trying to steal all the loose balls that go to the ground. There are different things, like staying out of the breakdown,” he said.
“I’m one of those guys that likes cleaning and stealing balls, but with forwards like Tazz (Fuzani, EP Kings lock), if you try and clean them out you’ll end up on the 22 from the halfway line.
“And just to run off the backs like Cheslin (Kolbe). If he attacks, get on his inside and play like we do at the Sevens. I just have to fill my role and open the space.”
Kok also added that Blitzbok teammate Kolbe has helped make his transition at WP much easier.
“With a guy like Cheslin, it’s always easier, it’s always just phenomenal. If you can learn to run off him when he does his thing and you can choose a space where he can give the ball to you... he’ll always open a gap for you somewhere,” he said.