John Dobson was happy with the performances of returning and new stars deployed by DHL Western Province throughout Sunday’s win over the Pumas in Stellenbosch.
Courtnall Skosan scored a hat-trick of tries as WP overturned a first-half deficit for a 39-30 victory on the Danie Craven Stadium, and their third win of the 2024 Currie Cup.
Springbok flyhalf Manie Libbok made his WP debut within the Winelands, together with hooker Joseph Dweba, unfastened ahead Dave Ewers and prop Brian le Roux.
Two-time Bok world champion Steven Kitshoff and fellow DHL Stormers powerhouse Ruben van Heerden additionally obtained a run in preparation for the 2024-25 Vodacom URC marketing campaign.
Talking post-match in Stellenbosch, Dobson highlighted the significance of enjoying the likes of Libbok and Van Heerden whereas casting an eye fixed in the direction of subsequent season.
“By way of the returnees getting sport time – the Rubens, the Josephs, the Adres – it was very a lot a superb outing,” the director of rugby instructed reporters. “I felt like we may’ve performed a bit higher however we are able to’t single out the returnees as a result of they have been within the minority.
RECAP: WP outwrestle Pumas in Winelands
“However for the primary time this season we had not one damage and had the likes of Ruben getting 35 minutes, Joe appeared good, Dave Ewers obtained on the sector, it was nice.
“By way of the battle, we possibly weren’t that nice however by way of our technique it was excellent. Simply to see Joe come on and rating, they introduced one other degree of depth in that second half.
“Steven Kitshoff and Manie Libbok each wanted rugby, and what was good for Kitsie was he obtained loads of scrums. Manie clearly wants a gallop however there have been some good indicators.”
Out of the playoffs race on this yr’s version of rugby’s oldest competitors, WP journey to Kimberley to face Griquas on Friday within the last spherical of the common season.
“We’re going into this sport with a really completely different mindset and we’ve obtained to watch out about that, as a result of that’s the way you get accidents,” Dobson stated
“We need to use our gamers who double up [in positions], however what we’ve to watch out about is that the Pumas sport was on a Sunday afternoon and the Griquas sport is on a Friday, and we’ve simply put out fairly few guys who haven’t performed in a very long time and their our bodies are nonetheless sore from enjoying their first match in three months.
“We will’t actually go full-out on Friday night time with the quick turnaround like I might’ve preferred, so it’s a problem. The group will look extra like our Currie Cup group.”
Photograph: Khulani Media
