New type of headache for Coetzee

 

After announcing on Monday that six players will be returning to Province and that they are in contention for selection, Coetzee has to now decide where to put them after none of his players from last weekend let him down.

 

Siyabonga Ntubeni, Brok Harris, Ruan Botha and Rynhardt Elstadt are all back in the selection mix, along with backs Kurt Coleman and Jaco Taute.

 

This is after Eben Etzebeth and Frans Malherbe returned to the Springbok camp after coming out of the match against the Kings unscathed – the only injury concern being Tiaan Liebenberg.

 

At the same stage in the Super Rugby campaign, Coetzee was forced to look towards the Under-21 team and beyond for some semblance of replacments for his injury stricken team.

 

The return of Rynhardt Elstadt seems to excite Coetzee due to the physicality the versatile forward can bring.

 

"It is definitely going to be a boost for the side," Coetzee said of the return of Elstadt who has not played a game of rugby since Round Three of Super Rugby back in early March.

 

"I think that is what Eben [Etzebeth] and his 25 minutes showed on Saturday, he [Elstadt] is one of those kinds of players that has a presence in the pack and in the team.

 

"He will help us to pitch up physically this weekend."

 

Coetzee did go on to add an important proviso about some of the players that are returning back after lengthy injuries.

 

"In saying that, we need to remember that he is no where his best, but it is a good starting point," the coach added.

 

Jaco Taute, another star of Coetzee's team, also returns from companionate leave and could really cause some disruptions in the back three with the electric Cheslin Kolbe occupying the No.15 jumper.

 

"Jaco is back, but in terms of selections I've got a few tough ones to make, but they are still very positives," said Coetzee.

 

Coetzee is well aware of the Bulls kicking game and the need for bigger wings in such situations, and with Kobus van Wyk looking set to recover from his head knock, Kolbe and Seabelo Senatla could be in a tussle for the remaining wing spot.

 

"I would say that their [the Bulls] kicking is massively effective at altitude," the coach continued.

 

"It is a completely different ball game at the coast, so I back the players and we know that it will be coming.

 

"It is one of their strengths but we will just have to handle that and it doesn’t matter who we pick there we will just have to get on with it."

 

Kurt Coleman's return seems to be ominous for Demetri Catrakilis with the former being the flyhalf of choice in the latter stages of the Super Rugby season.

 

Catrakilis' game against the Kings was a decent one, with his kicking being on par as usual.

 

"There is healthy competition there in that position," Coetzee said of the flyhalf role.

 

"When Demetri got injured against the Lions in Super Rugby it was Kurt who came in and took his opportunity and he ended up playing throughout Super Rugby.

 

"The same thing has happened now, with Kurt getting injured and Demetri taking his opportunity.

 

"I thought he played really well (against the Kings).

 

There will be another interesting decision to be made when a former Cape Town son returns from his Australian adventure.

 

Dillyn Leyds is currently the topic of discussion between Western Province and the Western Force with his name appearing on both team's rosters for the NRC and Currie Cup respectively.

 

"Dillyn Leyds has got to be here by the first of September," Coetzee said.

 

"The dealings with the Force are still on going – it seems a little silly to leave Dillyn not playing rugby and just do nothing at the moment.

 

"That is in the hands of Gert [Smal – Director of Rugby at Western Province] and he is trying to sort that out for me.