Front-row grafter shifts gears for WP

07/24/2024 03:28 AM

DHL Western Province hooker JJ Kotze says that the competition for places in his position means he is always pushing himself to improve his game.

The hard-working Kotze has started all three games in this year's Currie Cup campaign and is relishing the opportunity to get some valuable gametime under his belt.

He says that playing and training with the likes of Joseph Dweba, Andre-Hugo Venter and Scarra Ntubeni, who all have Springbok caps, is exactly what he needs to be at his best.

"I'm feeling good about my game. If you don't have that competition or pressure, you will never improve," he added. "If you play in a place where you feel comfortable or stay in a comfort zone, it doesn't fuel you to grow as a player. It doesn't push you to improve yourself.

"The competition we have here is healthy. I'm also very happy for Andre-Hugo Venter and Joseph Dweba who have been with the Springboks. It's given me an opportunity to chase them and try and get there myself.

"That competition is what's best for the team. The coaches here are always pushing us to keep our standards high. For now, I'm striving to get more time on the field."

The 23-year-old Kotze admirably balances playing for WP and the DHL Stormers with completing his qualifications as a physiotherapist from Stellenbosch University.

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"There are still some practical hours that I have to complete this year. That will be during a period where there aren't any matches," he explained.

"I think we will have a gap in November where I will be completing my hours. So it won't affect my availability to play."

Kotze and his teammates will travel up to Pretoria for the second north-south derby of the 2024 edition of rugby's oldest competition on Saturday, and buoyed by an emphatic win against the Griffons in Welkom.

WP scored four tries and secured two bonus points in a narrow defeat against the Vodacom Bulls in their Currie Cup opener at Cape Town Stadium, and Kotze can't wait for the Loftus Versfeld clash.

"It's always tough against the Bulls; it could be a warm-up game at the Danie Craven Stadium and it would still be a tough derby. We are looking forward to it," Kotze said.

"It's always an important game. The rivalry is always there. The game is on Saturday and during our team meetings this week you could already feel that it's WP against the Bulls.

"We have expectations of ourselves and our processes so whether it's in the scrums or line-outs, we want to keep our standards high, remain focussed and find those connections out on the field.”

Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images

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