Bok bonus for Coetzee

 

Etzebeth has been laid off for near on nine months after sustaining a bad ankle injury in November  last year when the Springboks played France in Paris.

 

Malherbe has been having issues recovering from a concussion sustained in the Stormers Super Rugby campaign which means the tighthead is very low on game time.

 

Both the Province men were included in the Bok camp and trained with the national team on Monday, however it was decided by both medical teams at the Springboks and Western province that they should re-introduce the players via the Currie Cup.

 

"There have been discussions on it between the two medical teams and me, it was always going to be a decision by both medical teams," Western Province head coach Allister Coetzee confirmed to the media on Tuesday.

 

"Both medical teams have agreed that it is best for Eben [Etzebeth][and Frans Malherbe] to work his way back through the Currie Cup.

 

"It is not good to have a stint of eight or nine months not playing rugby and then to be thrown in to an international Test match – at least get some game time.

 

There has been much debate about the use of contracted Springboks in the Currie Cup with SARU stating that there is an agreement between coaches not to use them.

 

However, Etzebeth, Siya Kolisi and Malherbe – all Springboks contracted or in contention – are part of Coetzee's first Currie Cup match – seemingly going against this agreement.

 

"There was obviously a meeting as to the contracted players not playing in the Currie Cup and subsequently that has also been clarified in order to benefit the players as best as possible," the coach added in explaining his use of the Springboks.

 

"Like in the case of Eben and Frans, SARU will make a decision whether they will play or not.

 

"Other contracted players not in the squad should also play Currie Cup – it can only be to the benefit of South African rugby."

 

The boost these players will give Western Province is massive, and the coach is clearly happy to have them.

 

"It is great to have them back – it is quite important for their benefit and also to the provinces benefit as well to ease them back in.

 

"We also need to note the importance of managing them, there will be a time limit set for Eben to play – so it is easier to start with him," Coetzee said of his decision to slot the big lock straight in.

 

"Fortunately for us they have been part of our pre-season training camp as well, we have been to Langebaan two weeks ago and they have been training with us since then.

 

"With props it is easier, Pat [Cilliers] is our vice captain – he has got to start, but having three props in the game means that if there are injuries you can roll them back on to the field from the bench."

 

When asked if the sudden return of these players caused any disruption, Coetzee was quick to raise some valid points.

 

"Fortunately it is your first game, they have been with us for three weeks, they have been part of the system so it is not something new.

 

"They have been part of our whole build up so it makes it easier and does not really cause disruptions."

 

"Rynardt [Elstadt] will be back next week, Brok [Harris] will be back to so when we loose Frans and Eben we have cover straight away – it does help a bit."

 

The Stormers first encounter in the competition is a Friday game against the EP kings in Port Elizabeth.