It could well be more of the same in Province’s backline selection for final
WESTERN PROVINCE attack coach Dawie Snyman says they don’t want to break their combinations ahead of their Currie Cup final clash against the Sharks at Kings Park on Saturday (4pm kickoff).
When Snyman spoke to the media at the team’s training base in Bellville yesterday, the assistant coach hinted that it will be more of the same in terms of Province’s backline for the Durban date.
Against the Golden Lions at the weekend, Robert du Preez and Dewaldt Duvenage were the starting halfback pairing, while Dillyn Leyds started at fullback, with Seabelo Senatla and Ruhan Nel out wide. Huw Jones and EW Viljoen started in midfield, but injury to Viljoen saw Nel move to outside centre later in the match, while Damian Willemse came off the bench and featured at fullback, with Leyds moving to the wing.
They do, however, have to make an injury-enforced change in midfield, and Nel is likely to come in at No 12.
And when asked if Willemse would come into the starting lineup, Snyman could only guarantee that the 19-yearold would definitely travel to Durban.
“We want to have guys (who) specialise in their positions. Damian can help usout at either No 15 or 10. We don’t want to break combinations, there are guys who have been playing next to each other, like your No 9, 10 and 15 that have formed good combinations over the last three weeks. So we want to keep them as close as possible,” Snyman said.
Regarding the Sharks’ backline, Snyman said that they are wary of flyhalf Curwin Bosch and scrumhalf Louis Schreuder, and added that WP will have to cut down the duo’s space to limit their damage.
“If you give Louis and Curwin space they can really dictate a game, not only with their attacking, but with their kicking game as well,” Snyman said. “We have to be aware of that and not give them the space that they’re comfortable with. If they get on the front foot, they can put us under pressure.”
Having successfully controlled a number of big Super Rugby and Currie Cup games, Snyman also believes that the young Bosch will beable to soak up the pressure that comes with a Currie Cup final.
“I think Curwin has played enough high-level rugby that the occasion will not get to him, he’ll be ready for that and he’ll make good decisions,” he said.
“I don’t think the pressure will get to him, so it’s just about how much pressure we can apply as a team in terms of taking away his space or putting his forwards under pressure so that he doesn’t get the quality ball that he needs.”
And when asked what will be the game-winner in Durban, Snyman said: “It’s a final so it’s going to come down to a few points and who’s more accurate on the day. The team that takes their opportunities will be the team that wins.”