Province polish pack's performance
Western Province have been gradually improving their scrummaging performances during the Currie Cup and Assistant Coach Mat Proudfoot believes it is due to the players taking responsibility.
Proudfoot believes the hard work put in during the pre-season is starting to pay off and the comradery between the forwards has made it easier for everyone.
"The scrum is about the synergy of all eight players and not just the front row. It's about the work the back five are doing with the front row and that's crucial.
"The guys enjoy working with each other, there is continuity in the 12-15 forwards we have which has been key to the impressive performances. We set out a clear plan and it's been working nicely but it takes confidence among each other to pull it off," he said.
Brok Harris echoed Proudfoot's statement, stating the hard work the forwards have put in are beginning to bear fruit after their slow start in the competition.
"The scrums have been a process for us, we didn't start well [in the campaign] but we've been building our innings and scrumming as a pack. It's a very important part of the game and we have put in the hard work at practice which is paying off on the field," the prop said.
Harris, who will be leaving the Cape after signing a three-year contract with Welsh side Newport Dragons, is enjoying his final moments in the squad and believes the future of the union is good hands.
"We have started something new before the Currie Cup with the talented youngsters we have. It's heartsore to leave but I'm happy because I know we [WP] are going to achieve big things in the future.
"The future of the union is in good hands if you look at the amount of talented players coming through," he added.
The Cape side have gone through a tough time recently with injuries to key players but Proudfoot believes all the players in the squad are fully focused on the "process" and are not results driven.
"We are processed focus. Before the game against the Cheetahs, we told the guys not to worry about the result but to remain focused on the process. It will be the same this weekend.
"It's going to be about putting a good scrum on the table and being aggressive in the contact areas. It's definitely a big, emotional game for us considering our loss to them in last year's final. We need to produce a good set phase and try to focus on improving as a pack," he stated.
By Tauriq Ebrahim
