Western Province’s trip to Kimberley on Friday night just got a whole lot tougher.
If it’s not enough to face the log leaders on their own turf, Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus also called up four of their players; Siya Kolisi, Dillyn Leyds, Wilco Louw and Scarra Ntubeni to the national team.
The call-up of fullback Leyds might turn out to be a blessing in disguise for the hooped jerseys as they welcome back Damian Willemse this week.
If Leyds were still in Cape Town and not in Pretoria, coach John Dobson would have sat with a selection headache.
Still, it will be tough for them on the field against a team coached by Brent Janse van Rensburg.
Of Griquas, WP assistant coach Dawie Snyman says: “Brent [Janse van Rensburg] brings a different flavour.
PREPARED: Coach Dawie Snyman. Photo: Chris Ricco/BackpagePix.
“Previously Griquas were quite expansive and Brent follows the same system, but he does his homework and plays in the right areas and puts you under pressure with his kicking game.
“Tactically this Griquas team is smart.”
Playing in the right areas of the field will be key for WP and they will use the big boot of returning winger SP Marais to help them win that battle.
Snyman explains: “SP’s left boot is a weapon and his goal-kicking from far out gives us a good option if we want to go for points.”