Assistant coach Rito Hlungwani expressed his pleasure with how the DHL Western Province kids stepped up within the Currie Cup conflict with the Sharks in Cape City on Saturday.
DHL Western Province fought exhausting, however went down 31-23 of their Currie Cup coastal derby towards the Sharks at Cape City Stadium.
Already stretched skinny within the backline, fullback JC Mars, centre Josh Boulle and wing Angelo Davids have been dominated out on the eleventh hour, with Province fielding youngsters Kyle Smith and Gino Cupido in midfield, whereas 20-year-old Joel Leotlela began on the wing.
Regardless of the disruptions, WP dug deep and got here again from a 21-10 half-time deficit to make it a five-point recreation within the second half, earlier than Sharks veteran Lionel Cronje stepped as much as nail a late drop-goal.
“The boys that we had on the market fought actually exhausting,” forwards coach Hlungwani mentioned. “They tried their greatest.
“Half our workforce at this time was just about U21. They by no means disappeared. There have been a number of issues that you’d count on from a youngish workforce by way of errors, however I assumed they fought exhausting.”
The defeat was Province’s sixth in eight video games, because the method has been taken to make use of the Currie Cup to blood kids and provides some seniors sufficient recreation time to organize for the Vodacom URC.
“Going into this event we had a objective and a plan We’re actually enthusiastic about the way forward for the Province and the quantity of expertise that’s coming by means of,” Hlungwani mentioned.
“Kyle Smith and Gino Cupido are nonetheless U19 and they’re taking part in Currie Cup now. We aren’t actually panicking. We’re pleased with the progress that these younger guys are making. We wish to preserve pushing them and getting them prepared for giant rugby.
“From our view we have been very clear from the beginning of the competitors, that is what it’s going for use for. There’s a whole lot of kids who we’re actually comfortable about.
“Andre Goedhals can also be nonetheless U21 and was calling the lineouts towards Reniel Hugo, who’s 34. We’re pleased with the training course of that’s taking place for these boys.
“It’s one thing we’ve to do. We aren’t going to exit and purchase a whole lot of gamers when we’ve a whole lot of expertise that we are able to groom ourselves and get them prepared for the URC. That’s the method we’ve chosen.
“I promise this may make the followers comfortable. We’ve a plan and we all know the place we’re going.”
Province will subsequent host the Pumas in Stellenbosch within the penultimate spherical of the Currie Cup, which might see a handful of DHL Stormers regulars get a while as they proceed with their pre-season.
“We do have a plan with our URC gamers. The URC isn’t too far-off and our guys want to start out getting recreation time,” Hlungwani mentioned.
“I can’t say what number of guys will likely be taking part in, however they should begin coming in and getting recreation prepared. That is normally the time we begin taking part in pleasant matches. We perceive who’s coming in, so we will likely be alright.”
Picture: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Photos
