Province want to go the distance

 

The Cape side are top of the standings having lost just one game this season, but Coetzee was circumspect after their 36-12 bonus-point win against Griquas at Newlands.

 

Although it was a fairly comfortable victory which sent his team to the top of the standings, Coetzee was left frustrated after they failed to capitalise on an impressive opening half-hour.

 

Coetzee's team were unbeaten until the final last year, when they came unstuck at home against the Sharks, so the Province coach knows that they cannot afford to take anything for granted.

 

"Five points at home is mission accomplished, but we are not 100% happy with the performance. 

 

"I think we had a good start in the first 30 minutes and then it dropped off a bit, I think what went wrong was that the basics of the game let us down a bit there.

 

"This is something we need to address as a team – when we have that lead or cushion of 24 points and then we let the other team get in between us and that is the question we have to answer," he said.

 

Looking ahead to the business-end of the season, Coetzee said that he was encouraged by the efforts of the forward pack in the set-pieces.

 

"We scrummed well which was a massive improvement and our mauling was exceptional. That is important going forward in terms of keeping your structure and making sure the basics are done well so I am pleased from that point of view," he said.

 

He was also pleased with the performances of young stars Justin Geduld and Sikhumbuzo Notshe.

 

"I think Justin Geduld showed that although there were questions about his selection he was definitely the right selection there and Notshe has done pretty well with the number of balls he turned over so we are pretty pleased with where we are," he said.