WP selection surprises in store
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Western Province have wrapped up a home semifinal regardless of this weekend's result against the Sharks which means there could be a number of selection surprises in store.
Province currently hold an unassailable lead at the top of the Currie Cup log with 39 points, eight points ahead of the second place Golden Lions – who were the only team to deal the men from the Cape a defeat in this years competition.
Coach Allister Coetzee now has a luxurious position on his hands where he can decide to either stick with largely the same team that has been doing the business for him over these past nine weeks, or hand a few fringe players a full-on taste of competitive provincial rugby.
There are advantages and disadvantages of resting players ahead of the semifinal in two weeks time but it seems that Coetzee is of the mindset to 'build capacity' in some of the fringe players.
"All decision that we will be making will be with the fact that we have assured a home semifinal," Coetzee told the media on Monday.
"We want to set ourselves up for the best possible shot when we play the semifinals.
"The right to look ahead to the semifinal, we have earned that, and we can't feel sorry about it.
"We are going to make the best plans for it and get well prepared for that eventuality
"That is what the thinking is going forward."
Coetzee's focus is clearly on the semifinal, but it also presents an opportunity for extended the depth and strength in the squad.
"This becomes a great opportunity to extend the capacity in the squad," the coach added.
"A player that has not yet started a game might be able to get that start, it might be the right opportunity – it could set you up better for the semis.
"Should anything happen he can get a chance against quality opposition, a top side, and he can feel that pressure."
There is much debate about the strategy behind resting players with the strongest counter-argument being that front-line players may loose momentum going into a big crunch match.
"The otherside of it is, we are going into this game looking to keep momentum but also thinking about the semifinals – we may get a bit mentally halfhearted and come unstuck.
"Then again, building capacity and giving guys a chance is also something to consider and that is what we need to decide."
If Coetzee is to go down the road of resting players, there needs to be a balance struck between overhauling the whole side and giving a few select players a chance.
"In terms of overhauling the entire team, where you can – you do it.
"The argument of keeping momentum is one thing but then you sit with a team that is just thinking of the semifinal and that could end up being more of a blow than creating and building capacity in other players."
"Players are hungry to prove themselves, I want to sit with a situation where I have a headache to select the semifinal team and players keep pushing for a spot in the semifinal team," he concluded."
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