Western Province are in real trouble in the Currie Cup and must beat the Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday if they are to stand a chance of making it to the playoffs.
After their 27-23 defeat to the table-topping Griquas last weekend, WP are out of the playoff spots and are currently in fifth place heading into the final round of the competition.
Assistant coach Norman Laker admits that they will have to up their game big time if they want to have a further say in the competition.
Laker says of their defeat to Griquas: “We didn’t play well.
“It happened, but we must turn things around now.”
Back to help them turn things around are three Springboks, Dillyn Leyds, Scarra Ntubeni and Wilco Louw, who were all called up for national duty ahead of the Griquas tie.
QUALITY: No.2 Scarra Ntubeni. Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix.
Laker adds: “If you lose that quality you, it will disrupt any team.
“And it’s nice to have them back.”
On top of that, playmaker Damian Willemse is also returning to full fitness after playing 30 minutes against the Pumas.
Laker is not sure whether Willemse is ready to start in a match he calls a quarterfinal, adding: “It’s the first time in two years there is a quarterfinal in the Currie Cup.
“They [the Cheetahs] are a quality outfit - they showed what they can do against Griquas, putting 50 past them.”