Photo Credit: Speedshots.co.za
DHL Western Province will certainly not lack for motivation when they run out at DHL Newlands for their Carling Currie Cup semifinal on Saturday. Having finished second on the standings after the league phase of the competition, DHL Western Province knows that this could be the last competitive match at the famous old ground.
While there is still a chance that the Carling Currie Cup Final could be held at DHL Newlands next week should result in both semifinals go the right way, the focus this week has been on producing a performance worthy of the incredible memories that the stadium holds for generations of rugby enthusiasts in South Africa.
The fact that it will happen without the DHL Newlands Faithful there to share in the occasion has provided even more motivation for the team.
Captain Siya Kolisi said that his team are aware of the responsibility they have to represent those that have worn the jersey before them as well as all those who have enjoyed watching rugby at DHL Newlands over the years.
“The DHL Newlands Faithful have been missed the whole season and our motivation is even more because we feel like it has been a long time since we have given them something to smile about. They have been so loyal to us and have always been here, even through the roughest of periods.
“There are so many players who have gone before here at DHL Newlands, it means so much to so many people. We are the group that is chosen to be playing and closing the chapter at DHL Newlands and that is a huge honour for us.
“Whatever happens we are going to be the team that plays the last game at DHL Newlands and we want to make sure we are remembered for something good,” he said.
Kolisi said that preparations this week have gone well and the team are more than up for the challenge that awaits them on Saturday.
“It is great that we were able to secure a play-off here at DHL Newlands, obviously we would have loved to finish on top of the log, but the most important thing now is this game this weekend.
“It has really been a great week, it was tough training on level five as a team last week. That’s what we had to do because we didn’t want any disruptions for this weekend, so last week we didn’t touch a ball at all to be safe.
“I think everybody who has played in a big play-off game has played their part this week. There are a lot of those guys in the leadership group, like Chris van Zyl who has lifted the Carling Currie Cup before. A lot of the guys in this team have played in a winning side with coach Dobbo, which has helped a lot,” he said.
One player who will not be a part of the action on Saturday is talismanic loosehead Steven Kitshoff, who was ruled out due to COVID-19 protocols. Kitshoff has captained the team when Kolisi has not been available this season, leading from the front as one of the top performers in the competition.
Kolisi said that the team are determined to give Kitshoff the chance to play in the final next week.
“It is tough to miss a guy like Kitsie, who has been instrumental for this team.
“It is part of our motivation, playing at DHL Newlands. We are closing the book here and we also want to make sure we give our best for Kitsie who has been great for the team, so we also want to give him another opportunity to play next week,” he said.
DHL Western Province Head Coach John Dobson said that while missing Kitshoff is a huge blow, he is excited to see what the experienced Alistair Vermaak will bring in his place.
“It is statistically proven that Kitsie has been absolutely outstanding in this campaign. He stood in for Siya very well as skipper and he is definitely one of our most important players.
“I am comforted by Ali Vermaak being there, we have got a long relationship and I think he was unlucky not to be made a Springbok a couple of years ago, to my mind he is one of the most underrated props in South Africa. So to have Ali come in for Steven in brilliant,” he said.