Calls out of Cape Town to help WP over the line
REACTION: Messages and phone calls from Western Province forwards coach Rito Hlungwani from Cape Town were needed to help the Currie Cup side over the line during their 25-21 win over Griffons in Welkom last weekend.
Hlungwani was in Cape Town as part of the team that prepared the Stormers for their United Rugby Championship semifinal against Connacht.
According to assistant coach Labeeb Levy they had a challenge with two very young locks in Patric Kitete and Andre Goedhals up against the Griffons.
“Our line-out coach Rito gave us some messages during the game from Cape Town where he was helping out with the URC team. He sent some messages and phone calls during half-time which helped.
“Our line-outs in the first half were worrying. The challenge was two 18-year-old locks, but they did well to survive. We kept it simple and during the last few minutes of the game they did especially well when Scarra (Ntubeni) was on,” Levy said.
Western Province took the foot off the pedal after leading 25-0 at half-time after Junior Phokomela had to leave the field due to blood and captain Jean-Luc du Plessis was taken off as he was on duty on the URC bench the following day. The Griffons capitalised on this and managed to score three quick tries in succession in the second half
“We just told everyone to stay calm after building up the lead. Credit to the Griffons for showing tenacity and resilience to keep going and keep grinding,” Levy concluded.
Griffons coach Jacques Juries said his side was not focused in the first half and made too many errors, which he attributed to nerves.
“We put up a good performance in the second half and I think in the end we were unlucky not to get a final try. We managed to stop them at the breakdown which was a focus point at the start of the season.
“We have two more home games left and we will definitely pick our strongest side for those,” Juries said.
Western Province host the Pumas (second on the Currie Cup table) in Athlone on Friday and the Griffons welcome Griquas in Welkom on Saturday.
