Fresh forwards for Province
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Western Province will have a new look to their forward pack as they begin preparations for the Currie Cup campaign.
A number of forwards have been lost from the Stormers side that played in Super Rugby through national representation, injury and players seeking greener pastures.
Siyabonga Ntubeni, Steven Kitshoff, Frans Malherbe, Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth, Schalk Burger and Duane Vermeulen are all on Springbok duty. Vincent Koch too is on Springbok duty although would ply his trade for the Pumas in Currie Cup anyway.
Manuel Carizza has joined up with Argentina for their Rugby Championship business while Michael Rhodes has jetted off to the North to join English Premiership giants Saracens.
That doesn't leave Western Province head coach John Dobson with much in the forwards, but he is determined to groom a young bunch of forwards from within their core structures and prepare them for a trophy-driven Currie Cup season.
"You've taken out nine internationals from the Stormers and it's nine really good forwards,"said Dobson at a media briefing on Monday.
"So it is a very young and new pack – it's basically the Super Rugby backs [barring Damien de Allende] and a brand new pack.
On the plus side Western Province will regain the services of utility forward Rynard Elstadt after he missed the Super Rugby season through injury.
Dobson was extremely adamant about developing players from Vodacom Cup and junior levels as opposed to shipping in new contingent to fill the gaps left by Springboks which other Unions have preferred to do."Its a young group that we need to develop in Currie Cup.
"The Sharks have made nine signings in the last 10 days, seven of which are here for Currie Cup.
"The Bulls are talking about how they are changing and they are looking at the Currie Cup as redemption for their Super Rugby performance and talking about change.
"What I am going to try and do with our Currie Cup is develop a young group of players that can go through to Super Rugby next year," explained Dobson.
"I want to bring these players through with a lot of hands on coaching, there is nobody in that group playing Currie Cup for us that you could say their careers are waning. There has been a natural sorting out with guys going overseas or called up for the Springboks.
Dobson also confirmed some changes to his coaching personnel at Western Province as he officially confirmed the appointment of Paul Treu as the defence coach for the season. While Juan de Jongh will captain the side and Nizaam Carr as vice-captain.
Western Province will face the Pumas in Franschhoek next Saturday in a pre-season friendly before they take on the Kings in their second friendly.
@rugby365com
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