I love it when a plan comes together
Western Province coach Allister Coetzee stepped perfectly into the role of Colonel John 'Hannibal' Smith, the icon of the famous A-Team series.
Like George Peppard, the master-brain behind the series' soldiers of fortune, he could finally claim: 'I love it when a plan comes together.'
Despite going through an entire Super Rugby season of not scoring a four-try bonus point, and then facing calls of an inquisition after two defeats in the opening three rounds of the Currie Cup competition, Coetzee's charges produced a near faultless performance.
It wasn't so much the scoreline (it could have been more than 42-6) against the Blue Bulls or the five tries, but the manner in which Province finally executed the game plan the coaches have been talking about all year that blew their arch rivals off the park.
"We always had a plan and we will always stick to the plan," Coetzee said in his post-match analysis.
He could so easily have had a full go at members of the media, given that earlier in the day banner headlines in certain sections of the Cape Town media proclaimed that Coetzee would face an inquisition if his team lost again.
However, Coetzee took the opportunity to try and explain to the unbelievers that it was always a matter of time before the pieces of the puzzle fell into place.
"I feel in this game the players got to believe in the plan … and the way we're advancing, evolving, as a team.
"Clearly it was a matter of taking your opportunities and making sure we don't concede to many penalties.
"I am really proud of the players, it was a massive effort."
Coetzee even had some praise (kind of) for what he called a "quality" Bulls side.
"It may not look like it if you look at the score, but it is the way they [the WP players] applied themselves and the way the executed [our game plan].
"We played well in the games we lost, against the Lions and the Sharks. It was not the defeats, it was how we lost. We were close and that was what was important for the players to understand."
And finally it came off at Newlands at the weekend, in the most sublime fashion against their arch rivals.
"These are young players, who played against a quality side – a side that featured Dewald Potgieter, Deon Stegman … quality players. We were physically very mature.
"There is no ways you can take on any Bulls side if you don't front up physically.
"With ball in hand, in terms of our kicking game and on defence … that is the balance we've been looking for.
"This [42-6 against the Bulls] is what it will look like if we get the balance right."
The coach spoke of the decision-making and leadership of key players like captain Deon Fourie and vice-captain Marcel [Brache.
Yet, he felt, despite the big win, they are still a work in progress.
"It is really close and it will be close throughout the season," Coetzee said.
"Last week against the Lions we build the same pressure, we had the opportunities which we just didn't take – then you end up losing.
"Once you execute well, it is pleasing on the eye.
"However, you can' function with a high error rate and the guys understands how important it is to cut down on the error count."
Coetzee said even the senior players – those on international duty with the Springboks – sent them text message from the airport (on their way to Australasia) to say how proud they are of how WP played.
"They see how we try to evolve as a team and hopefully this performance could inspire them for next year's Super Rugby season, to see where we are at and buy into the whole thing."
He spoke also of the pride in the Province jersey.
"The players understand when you wear this Western Province jersey it is about what and who represented WP before them.
"For me it is fine if you lose the game, as long as you don't lose your name – as long as their is always effort and attitude, then I can live with the rest."
* As always there is a down side to the game.
It was confirmed on Sunday that scrumhalf Dewaldt Duvenage fractured his fibula of the (right leg and will be out for the rest of the season.
Wing Ederies Arendse will also be sidelined for the next 10 days with a bruised shoulder.
Brache, who sustained a calf strain against the Bulls, appears to have suffered no serious after-effects and will travel with the team to Bloemfontein for next Saturday's showdown with the Cheetahs.
It was also revealed that fullback Joe Pietersen (wrist injury) will be re-assessed again this week.
"Season-ending injuries are always tough to deal with, like Siya [Kolisi] last week and now Dewaldt," Coetzee said.
"It's very unfortunate for Dewaldt and I feel for him, but we're lucky that we've got three quality scrumhalves here in Dewaldt, Louis Schreuder and Nic Groom.
"Our rotational policy [at scrumhalf] this season has put us in good stead."
By Jan de Koning
