Allister Coetzee can’t walk through the Great Wall of China, or make the Statue of Liberty disappear, but if illusionist David Copperfield has any appreciation for rugby, he might be impressed by what the Western Province coach is conjuring up for Saturday’s Currie Cup challenge against the Sharks at Newlands (kick-off 5.05pm).
Leather-necked veterans Anton van Zyl and Tiaan Liebenberg are being assessed with a view to providing a ballast of experience to an overhauled team.
Province have an unassailable eight-point lead in first place on the standings and will gain nothing other than bragging rights from sinking the third-placed Sharks this week.
On Monday, Coetzee made it known that he has consequently committed to widespread squad rotation for the final league-phase match.
Rotation almost always involves swapping out old heads for fresh legs, and 22-year-old props Oli Kebble and Justin Ackerman were singled out for a mention when the rotation plan was explained to the media.
A loss against the defending champions would have no material impact on Province. But the Sharks humiliated WP in Cape Town during last year’s final, and the same result at the same venue would leave what remains of the Newlands faithful with an especially bitter taste in the mouth.
A pair of grizzled tight forwards will reinforce the log-leaders against such an outcome.
Lock Van Zyl, 34, is back in town, ostensibly having retired after three seasons in France with Top 14 club Stade Francais. However, he has joined Province this week for what could be a once-off reappearance for the team he represented from 2009 to 2011.
It’s too late in the season for the Rondebosch old boy to qualify for the play-offs, and the rematch of last year’s decider is likely to be his last hurrah as a professional.
Liebenberg has been missing in action since the Currie Cup opener against the Eastern Province Kings in Port Elizabeth two months ago. The 32-year-old hooker aggravated a recurring back complaint and there were whispers that his career might be over.
But the combative front-row forward isn’t ready to throw in the towel just yet and his return to full fitness and availability for selection was confirmed yesterday.
“Tiaan’s ready to go,” said forwards coach Matt Proudfoot. “It’s nice having a big, aggressive hooker in the setup this week and he’s looked very good in lineout practice.”
The lineout is one area where Liebenberg and Van Zyl’s experience could be telling. Their familiarity will stabilise WP’s set pieces, and serve as a source of composure for the greenhorns in the pack.
Rookie rake Neil Rautenbach is expected to warm the bench, while Van Zyl’s inclusion will likely be used to protect Manuel Carizza or Michael Rhodes – the only other No 5 locks in the squad – with mad-dog Rynhardt Elstadt guarding the blindside at No 7.
Rotation for this match was a good idea, but adding experience while doing so is magic. - Cape Argus