WP hoping for Du Preez magic
Western Province and the Stormers (Super Rugby) have struggled to unearth or nurture a No.10 in recent years that could take them to new heights on the rugby field.
A number of flyhalves in the form of Kurt Coleman, Jean-luc du Plessis, Robert du Preez and Brandon Thomson have been given the chance this year, with no one really nailing down the No.10 jersey.
Injuries have also not helped the Stormers' cause this year with Coleman, Du Plessis and Du Preez all picking up serious injuries during the course of the Super Rugby campaign.
The flyhalf woes have continued in this year's Currie Cup Currie Cup Premier Division. Thomson, who started at flyhalf in WP's last two matches, has been sent back to the Under-21 setup after some average performances with Du Preez regaining the pivotal role ahead of their crunch game against the Sharks on Saturday.
Western Province head coach John Dobson has also included scrumhalf Dewaldt Duvenage on the bench for the Sharks match. Duvenage, who is back from France, will cover both scrumhalf and flyhalf.
Such is the flyhalf problem in the Cape, Dobson has even considered moving Cheslin Kolbe to the No.10 jersey, but that might not happen just yet.
"I think it is fair to say that we have not had a dominant performance at No.10 yet," Dobson told reporters ahead of their must-win game against the Sharks.
"Brandon [Thomson] is one for the future, but we felt his confidence would grow if he played regularly for the Under-21s.
"It was a tight call and we have gone for Rob [Robert du Preez] because at the moment we feel that he has got more X-factor."
Dobson believes Duvenage brings something different to that No.10 role if he is needed off the bench.
"We want to have a look at Dewaldt [Duvenage].
"He has been outstanding in training. He has played No.10 for the Stormers before and we felt that he was a different type of flyhalf if we needed it."
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