Province looking in tip-top shape

Elephants must dig deep at Kemsley Park

FAVOURITES Western Province are targeting an impressive 16th consecutive win in the SuperSport Rugby Challenge when they face EP’s Elephants at the Police Rugby Club at Kemsley Park tomorrow.

The fortunes of the two sides could not be more contrasting ahead of a fifth round showdown where WP are overwhelming favourites to emerge with the spoils.

While table-topping South Section leaders WP have swept all before them, bottom placed EP are still searching for a first win.

While the hastily EP side comprises mainly club players, WP is a professional side who enjoyed an extensive pre-season.

Ahead of their trip to Port Elizabeth, WP forwards coach forwards Hanyani Shimange spoke about the winning streak.

“It’s nothing we actively discuss because we’re not out there chasing some said Shimange.

“We just try to turn up week in and week out, and I think we quite enjoy playing out in the communities, for example we’ve got a bus trip back to Cape Town like the old days.

“So we enjoy that rather than focusing on some unbeaten record – that will take care of itself.”

Despite the unbeaten record remaining, the former Springbok hooker said the competition had been closer this year.

“The different environments do make it challenging, sometimes you go to stadiums that aren’t closed off so there’s a big wind factor. But we’re a second year into it so we’re probably better prepared of what to expect.”

Last year Western Province completed a dream season in the inaugural Rugby Challenge by beating Griquas to become the first winners of the tournament.

The victory, was their 11th in a row, delivered not only R500 000 in prize-money, but also left them unbeaten.

When the sides met in Kwazakhele on the opening day of the season, WP cruised an a comfortable 59-12 win over their hosts.

It was an early indication that WP, who scored nine sparkling tries in their win over EP, will once again be the team to beat this season. record,”

But, despite the odds being heavily stacked against his hastily assembled squad, EP coach Ryan Felix has vowed that his team will not go down without a fight.

EP’s losses against the Border Bulldogs and Boland Cavaliers were closely run affairs and this has kept alive Felix’s hopes alive that his team could spring a major shock.

In their last game the Elephants came tantalisingly close to pulling off their first win before they were eventually edged 40-37 by the Cavaliers in Montagu.

It was a see-saw affair with the Cavaliers emerging with the spoils after a late surge in an action-packed SuperSport Rugby Challenge clash.

“WP are beatable if you have the right material and if you use your opportunities,” said Felix.

“We will be looking for a shock win. When my boys go out they will give it their all.

“We are playing against a team who have won 16 consecutive games, while we have won zero games. So you can see the difference. But the fighting will be there and my team have big hearts.”

So far the attack-minded WP side has scored 26 tries, while conceding only seven.

In their last outing, WP scored eight tries on their way to a comprehensive 50-3 victory against SWD Eagles in Oudtshoorn.