VIDEO: Paarwater sees a 'bright future' for Province
Western Province are without a win since mid-January – seven straight defeats after beating the winless Lions in Round One.
However, they have some lofty goals for the remained of the Currie Cup season.
Province coach Jerome Paarwater admitted they don’t have much of a chance to reach the play-offs and have shifted their focus to something more attainable.
The Cheetahs moved to within a point of Currie Cup log leaders, the Bulls, as they beat WP 28-21 in Cape Town at the weekend.
The Bulls, who have played one match more, are on 32 points, while the Sharks remain third on 24 points, with Griquas – who beat the Lions by 23-17 in Johannesburg in Round Nine, now only four points behind the coastal side.
The Pumas had a bye this weekend and remain fifth on 15 points.
They are followed by the WP (nine points) and the Lions (three points).
The next round of matches is scheduled for May 6 and 7, when the Lions host the Cheetahs in Johannesburg, the Pumas travel to Durban to take on the Sharks, and the Bulls face Griquas in Pretoria.
WP, who have a bye in Round 10, next play on May 13 – when they travel to Nelspruit for a testing encounter with the ambitious Pumas.
“For us, it is about giving the youngsters this experience and to enjoy the game,” Paarwater told @rugby365com.
He said his team will have learned from the loss to the Cheetahs – who came from 7-21 behind to record an impressive bonus-point victory.
The coach said his team will continue to “fight to the end”, but they are not going to focus on the play-off race.
“We want to play good rugby and give the players enough experience,” he added.
He said he is “happy” with the team’s progress.
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“We have no players from the URC [squad],” the coach said.
“They [URC coach John Dobson and his personnel] have their own players.
“We are building our own squad.
“The experience the youngsters are getting in this Currie Cup is invaluable.
“Our future looks good, with the youngsters we have.
“If these guys play Currie Cup next year we will see a real good Western Province team.”
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