'Workmanlike' WP pleases Coetzee
Western Province coach Allister Coetzee said he was pleased with the way his side ground out a "workmanlike" 49-14 bonus-point win over the Eastern Province Kings at Newlands on Friday.
The unbeaten WP cemented their place at the top Currie Cup standings with the seven tries to two victory.
"I was a bit nervous before the game because the match could be a perilous banana-peel type of occasion," said Coetzee.
"They are bottom of the log but they are playing well and they have run sides close in previous games. It was therefore pleasing to come away with a win, and also a bonus point. Our intensity was right up there."
The four changes which WP made worked well said Coetzee.
"I was pleased with the performances of players who were brought into the side for rotation purposes. We are approaching a point where all the players will be match sharp," said Coetzee.
"We don't want [to put] on a player when there are injuries only to find out that the replacements are not at the same level as the regulars."
After the match there were injury concerns after Cheslin Kolbe and Nic Groom suffered knocks during the match.
"There was a downside, because Cheslin injured his knee and Nic took a knock to the shoulder late in the match," said Coetzee.
"It's too early to say if the injuries are serious."
Coetzee announced hooker Siyabonga Ntubeni would be back for next week's Lions clash in Johannesburg.
"Skarra will be back for the Lions and he brings a physical presence to our game.
"He may start off on the bench but we've done well by easing returning players back into the game rather than starting off with them."
Source: SAPA
