Three major injuries rock WP
Western Province have suffered three big injuries ahead of the business-end of the 2014 Currie Cup competition.
Lock Ruan Botha will miss the remainder of the season due to a high ankle injury, whilst fellow lock Jean Kleyn will be out for three to four weeks with an injury to his AC joint.
Joining the second row pairing is livewire fullback Cheslin Kolbe who faces three to four weeks on the sidelines with a slight vertebrae fracture.
Utility forward Rynhardt Elstadt is back from suspension, whilst utility back Dillyn Leyds has joined the team after returning from Perth to take up his contract with the Cape side.
Michael van der Spuy (hip pointer) is making better progress after the weekend and will undergo assessment this week.
Tiaan Liebenberg (back) will be reviewed on a week-to-week basis.
Adding to WP's injury woes are locks Gerbrandt Grobler and Tazz Fuzani.
Grobler (shoulder) is still a few weeks away from being considered for selection, whilst Fuzani (broken arm) will not be available for selection again this year.
Despite the numerous injuries, coach Allister Coetzee remains hopeful that Kolbe could return before the end of the season.
"It’s [injuries] all part of the game, I guess. Despite the initial disappointment of losing Ruan, Jean and Cheslin but I have faith in those guys coming in.
In Cheslin's case, a vertebrae injury sounds worse than it is but I am hopeful of him [Cheslin] still playing a part in the Currie Cup if his injury responds well," he said.
The loss of Kolbe shouldn't affect their campaign following the return of Leyds who could slot into the number 15 jumper.
"Dillyn is no stranger to our systems. He was one of our best players in last year's cup-winning under-21 team and he will definitely come into contention at fullback – especially with Justin Geduld and Seabelo Senatla with the SA Sevens team now too," he added.
