Cilliers to give WP some kick

Renowned kicking coach Vlok Cilliers has joined the Western Province coaching set-up, returning to Newlands where he spent his playing career.

The 46-year-old returns to the Cape after some time away – having played 80 matches for Western Province as a utility back, between 1993 and 1998.

Cilliers will join the Stormers and Western Province coaching set-up at Super Rugby and Currie Cup level and will be responsible for the implementation and execution of the kicking structures for those respective teams.

Gareth Wright, the WP kicking coach at Vodacom Cup, Under-21 and U19 level, will work closely with Cilliers to ensure those structures are replicated throughout the union.

Western Province Director of Rugby Gert Smal said: "First and foremost, Vlok is a true WP Rugby man and we're excited to welcome him back into the fold (here).

"His record as a kicking coach, both locally and internationally, speaks for itself and we have no doubt that he will add value across all teams at Western Province."

Cilliers was appointed as the first-ever full-time kicking coach in South Africa – at the Bulls in 2004 – and he also worked with the Springboks on their end-of-season tour of Europe in 2009.

His prowess as a kicking coach aside, Cilliers represented the SA Sevens team in 1993 and 1994, having captained the WP Sevens team for three years during a five-year period of playing for the team (1994-98).

Cilliers played one Test for the Springboks in 1996 and also represented the SA Barbarians team – at fifteens and Sevens level.