John Dobson was pleased with the performances of returning and new stars deployed by DHL Western Province during 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 at the Danie Craven Stadium, and their third win of the 2024 Currie Cup.
Springbok flyhalf Manie Libbok made his WP debut in the Winelands, along with hooker Joseph Dweba, loose forward Dave Ewers and prop Brian le Roux.
Two-time Bok world champion Steven Kitshoff and fellow DHL Stormers powerhouse Ruben van Heerden also got a run in preparation for the 2024-25 Vodacom URC campaign.
Speaking post-match in Stellenbosch, Dobson highlighted the importance of playing the likes of Libbok and Van Heerden while casting an eye towards next season.
“In terms of the returnees getting game time – the Rubens, the Josephs, the Adres – it was very much a good outing,” the director of rugby told reporters. “I felt like we could’ve played a bit better but we can’t single out the returnees because they were in the minority.
RECAP: WP outwrestle Pumas in Winelands
“But for the first time this season we had not one injury and had the likes of Ruben getting 35 minutes, Joe looked good, Dave Ewers got on the field, it was great.
“In terms of the battle, we maybe weren’t that great but in terms of our strategy it was very good. Just to see Joe come on and score, they brought another level of intensity in that second half.
“Steven Kitshoff and Manie Libbok both needed rugby, and what was nice for Kitsie was he got plenty of scrums. Manie clearly needs a gallop but there were some nice signs.”
Out in the playoffs race in this year’s edition of rugby’s oldest competition, WP travel to Kimberley to face Griquas on Friday in the final round of the regular season.
“We’re going into this game with a very different mindset and we’ve got to be careful about that, because that’s how you get injuries,” Dobson said
“We want to use our players who double up [in positions], but what we have to be careful about is that the Pumas game was on a Sunday afternoon and the Griquas game is on a Friday, and we’ve just put out quite few guys who haven’t played in a long time and their bodies are still sore from playing their first match in three months.
“We can’t really go full-out on Friday night with the short turnaround like I would’ve liked, so it’s a challenge. The team will look more like our Currie Cup team.”
Photo: Khulani Media
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