Plaudits for prop Vermaak

Springbok ace prop Steven Kitshoff’s replacement Ali Vermaak is no stop-gap solution and should have been a Bok years ago, according to Western Province coach John Dobson.

Kitshoff was withdrawn yesterday due to Covid protocol, from the team to face the Sharks in the Currie Cup semifinal at Newlands on Saturday.

“Kitsie has been absolutely outstanding this campaign,” said Dobson, who also stressed they wanted to close the “Newlands chapter” on a good note.

“He stood in for Siya Kolisi as captain and is definitely one of our most important players, so it is a blow,” he added.

While the Sharks will pose numerous threats, especially with the return of their Bok “Tank” Thomas du Tout, Dobson believed they would be able to negate the big loss of the Bok star.

“I’m comfortable with Ali, we have had a long relationship and I think he was unlucky not to become a Bok a few years ago already.

“I have had 10 years working with him, but it is a reflection of the quality in our squad that we can still put out a good team.”

*Sharks coach Sean Everitt said yesterday that it was what happened after the set-pieces that were of more importance than the scrum or lineout itself.

“After a dominant scrum or lineout it does make getting the gain line advantage easier, but the set-pieces are just a platform to play from.

“But it will be good to have Thomas back after he was out for quite a while,” said Everitt.

Everitt said the set-piece battle is about the unit though and although Kitshoff is one of the best and exceptionally fit, Ali Vermaak is a good player as well.