Werner Kok still has many years to be part of the Springboks Sevens side and maybe even upgrade his bronze medal to a gold one, but the Olympian believes that it is now time for him to make the transition to the 15-man game.
Kok made his senior debut for Western Province in their 36-6 win over the Eastern Province Kings in Port Elizabeth last Saturday, three years after wearing the streeptrui at Under-19 level.
But Kok didn’t look rusty at all. He started on the right wing and looked dangerous with ball in hand, and also crossed over the whitewash for a try, but it was disallowed due to a forward pass in the build-up.
“It was something new again.
“The guys next to me on the field made it so much easier, the coaching staff right next to the field as well.
“They kept on talking to me. I’m happy. There’s still so many things I can do better, but I think that will come with time.
“It would have been sweet if I had scored a try in my first Currie Cup match,” Kok said at the training ground in Bellville.
Although he was still contracted to the Blitzbokke for two more years, he wanted to shift his focus to the Currie Cup.
“At this moment I’m here for the Currie Cup. I think it’s time to make that transition, but we’ll see in the future how it goes.”
WP coach John Dobson had previously said that Kok could be used at outside centre, but he would prefer to ease him into the expanded game and play him on the wing.
Asked if he would prefer to wear the No 13 jersey, Kok said: “I think only time will tell. We have brilliant outside and inside centres. With Dan (du Plessis) out it is tough, but I’m sure there are a few centres there who can back up. But, like I said, only time will tell.” - The Mercury