Province optimistic over their Carr
Western Province are still sweating over the fitness of stars Nizaam Carr and Jaco Taute, ahead of their Currie Cup Final.
However, coach Allister Coetzee is 'optimistic' that both could be cleared to face the Golden Lions at Newlands on Saturday.
According to Coetzee, who was speaking at a media briefing on Monday, centre Taute (rib) ran well, but will be given another opportunity on Tuesday to prove his fitness.
No.8 Carr, who cried off with a hip pointer injury midway through the first half of the semifinal clash against the Blue Bulls last Saturday, was walking without discomfort at training.
Calls on the fitness of Carr and Taute will be made later this week, but, according to the WP coach the prognoses seem "positive" on both players.
"Jaco underwent tests and he seems to be fine," Coetzee said.
"Tomorrow [Tuesday] we will see how he recovers from the physical activity and we will also see how it goes with a further battery of tests [obviously involving contact], but it's looking very positive.
"There's a feeling of optimism over Nizaam too.
"He was feeling comfortable today [Monday], but we will [also] see how he goes tomorrow [Tuesday]."
Speaking about potential selection headaches, should Carr and Taute both be fit, Coetzee said: "I said at the start of the season that I wanted two players in every position available for the Final and that's the fortunate position we find ourselves in.
"I thought Rynhardt Elstadt was excellent at openside against the Bulls and not only did he make 22 tackles, most of those were big impact tackles.
"Michael Rhodes also got through an incredible amount of work, both on defence and as a ball-carrier, so I am happy with our loose forward configuration, with those two players on the flanks and Sikhumbuzo Notshe backing up [Nizaam] at No.8."
Sikhumbuzo Notshe, who played for just over an hour in the semifinal after standing in for Carr, also turned in a commendable performance.
However, Coetzee did not feel that Notshe could challenge for a run-on berth.
"Losing Carr was disruptive because he's an integral part of the way we want to play," Coetzee said.
"He's had a fantastic season and he proved to be a phenomenal player. He is one of our prime ball carriers, and he's also a link between the backs and forwards.
"Notshe has done well and as a backup player he did what was required of him. He's our best bet for a back-up No.8."
