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Siya Kolisi during a Western Province training session at the High Performance Center in Bellville on November 24, 2020.
Grant Pitcher / Gallo Images
- Springbok captain Siya Kolisi looks good in training, says WP assistant coach Rito Hlungwani.
- However, Hlungwani has hinted that Kolisi will not rush back to a starting role against the Blue Bulls in Newlands.
- The WP players are happy to be back in the blue and white hoops and eager to prove themselves against the Bulls.
Captain He is a school is in shape again and training with his Western Province teammates before Saturday’s first Currie Cup game against the Blue bulls in Newlands.
The Springbok captain suffered a hamstring injury in the first half of the Stormers’ Super Rugby Unlocked victory over the Pumas in Nelspruit on October 27.
He watched him miss his next wins over Griquas and the Cheetahs, while also being unavailable for last weekend’s canceled game against the Sharks in Durban.
But Kolisi has recovered well and the assistant coach of the Western Province Hlungwani Rite told reporters on Tuesday that the national captain looked good in training.
The coach, however, hinted that Kolisi would not return to the starting team for the north-south derby this weekend.
“Siya is in shape, has been training and looks great. Whether we let him start this weekend, I’ll keep it a secret for a few more hours … but he’s really excited to be involved with the guys,” he said. Hlungwani at a virtual press conference.
Marcel Theunissen and Ernst van Rhyn were the starting flanks in the 30-13 win over the Cheetahs in Newlands earlier this month and there are signs that they will start again this weekend.
There could also be a place in the bench for a fit again Jaco Coetzee, who has been sidelined by a concussion in recent weeks.
“Jaco Coetzee has also been training very hard and looks good; he could also make the team this weekend,” added Hlungwani.
In a new impetus for Capetonians, the loose tip Ali vermaak He has also gotten back in shape after being offside for an extended period.
Vermaak suffered a serious neck injury during a preseason training session with the Stormers in early 2019.
There were doubts as to whether the 31-year-old would play rugby again, but Hlungwani said he could return this weekend.
“Ali has been training with us. He had a good scrum session now. He is doing very well, scrumming very well. So we are very happy with the progress he has made after such a tough injury. He is someone to whom we would like to see in the field asap. “
Meanwhile, Saturday’s game in Newlands takes on additional meaning, as it could be the last time these old foes meet in Newlands.
Unless they meet there again in the knockout stages, the Bulls will not play in Newlands again as WP Rugby will relocate to Cape Town Stadium after the conclusion of the Currie Cup.
“It is always a great honor to participate in the North-South derby and it is always good for Western Province to play in Newlands. We have worked to improve and we want to officially prove it against the Bulls in Newlands,” Hlungwani said. .
The forwards guru added that they left behind the 39-6 beating they suffered last month at the hands of the Bulls in Pretoria.
“There are some things that we feel we have improved since we played them. We have gotten over that loss and we have focused a lot on improving.”
Hlungwani added that the players were happy to be back in the Western Province colors.
“It’s always a great privilege to wear the blue and white rings, the guys look bad and we can’t wait to play at Newlands.
Head coach John Dobson will name his team on Thursday, and Saturday’s game is scheduled for 7pm.
