Dobson: WP sticking to the plan

07/19/2024 07:08 AM

John Dobson will resist the urge to call any senior players out of their resting period despite DHL Western Province suffering a new wave of injuries.

Dobson named a DHL WP team that will see five youngsters making their Currie Cup debuts in the third-round clash with the Griffons in Welkom on Sunday.

This comes as WP have suffered a new spate of injuries, to a squad that was already missing around 30 senior players due to Springbok call-ups and the new player management protocol.

Dobson confirmed that lock Connor Evans (ankle sprain/syndesmosis) and utility back Jean-Luc du Plessis (torn glute) are set to miss the rest of the Currie Cup campaign.

Meanwhile, Lizo Gqoboka, Sazi Sandi, Adre Smith and Wandisile Simelane are minor concerns, but are expected back in the next couple of weeks.

This means that WP have fielded a relatively youthful and inexperienced side for their trip to Welkom, but even if that doesn’t go according to plan, Dobson said that he will resist the the urge to call in any of his big-name senior players currently being rested for the start of the URC campaign.

“We have made a clear plan for this Currie Cup. I don’t want to belittle the tournament, but we are going to be judged on next season’s URC,” Dobson explained.

“That’s what’s going to judge the Stormers. The name of the business is Stormers Rugby now.

“I have to be disciplined not to say, ‘We’ve lost two or three in a row, let’s phone Neethling Fouche or Dan du Plessis and get him in’. We want to stick to our plan.

“It’s tough, with the weight of results. There will probably be WhatsApp messages going around, ‘What’s going on with WP?’.

“We’ve made a tough decision to invest in our top players and our youngsters and fewer of the homeguard. I don’t think homeguard wins you European trophies.

“So while our middle-tier of players isn’t as deep as it was, we have to stay disciplined to the fact that our URC pre-season is the most important thing for us. The Currie Cup is part of that.

“Even if something goes horrifically wrong at Welkom, we have to stay disciplined to our processes of preparing the Stormers. That’s not to disrespect the Currie Cup, it’s just the reality of where we are.

“The Currie Cup final is on the same day as our URC game against the Bulls, you will have to be something out of Harry Potter to think we can do both.”

Dobson is still excited to see if the youngsters can push for a URC place, and will be keeping a particular eye on wing Jared Africa and centre Jonathan Roche.

“In terms of Jared Africa, in this region we used to be able to pick wingers off trees. I don’t know why it’s dried up. The X-factor wings aren’t quite as prevalent as they used to be.

“Jared is a guy from the club system, from Hamiltons. We actually do think he has a future here. He has a lot to learn. We didn’t drop Courtnall Skosan, we just wanted to give Jared a spin.

“Jonny Roche was excellent at Varsity Cup. He is special. He has been brilliant for the U21s and is a great replacement for Jean-Luc.”

Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images

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