A surplus of talent in the halfback positions has presented coach John Dobson with a tricky juggling act as Western Province prepare to defend their Currie Cup title.
The flyhalf position is in a state of flux with Demetri Catrakilis set to leave for Montpellier after the domestic championship, Kurt Coleman battling with a crisis of confidence, and juniors Robert du Preez and Jean-Luc du Plessis – both eager for a permanent promotion to the senior ranks – registering between them a combined five minutes of Currie Cup experience.
Meanwhile, the arrival of journeyman Jano Vermaak from a two-season stint in the Top 14 with Toulouse has added a Springbok scrumhalf to the competition amongst Nic Groom, Louis Schreuder and Godlen Masimla for two places in the matchday squad.
“We had quite a debate during our Currie Cup pre-season,” said Dobson. “Do you play Demetri with the objective of winning the Currie Cup, or look at the longer-term interests of the union (and not play) a guy who is not going to be here next year?”
Catrakilis converted 57 of 64 shots at goal during Super Rugby league play and ended that competition as South Africa’s leading points-scorer. The two-time Currie Cup champion gives WP their best chance of repeating this year, but what is the opportunity cost to the Stormers who must unearth a replacement for Catrakilis before next season? After all, the Currie Cup is a shadow of the competition that was once hailed as rugby’s toughest domestic championship.
“It’s a philosophical debate,” added Dobson. “It’s fine to say we’re developing for Super Rugby, but if we bomb in the Currie Cup... there’s no doubt that teams like the Sharks and Bulls are using the Currie Cup as their road to redemption.
“The reality of Western Province is that, even though the Currie Cup may not seem like much now, when we get to the sharp end it’s very important to the region and important for us to get a home final.”
Vermaak will be back in Super Rugby next season, most likely in the Stormers No 9 jersey, though all of Groom, Schreuder and Masimla will make him work to earn the job.
“That’s one area where we’ve got real depth,” Dobson said of the quartet of scrum-feeders. “It’s also a fair source of stress.
“I’ve worked with Godlen for two or three years now, and I know he’s got real X-factor. He has a big contribution to make. To try and bring him through and manage the three seniors is very hard.
“Louis and Nic have had times when they’ve been first-choice and it’s tough for any player to go from number one or two, to three or four. Godlen didn’t play in the Currie Cup last year so we have to bring him through to expose him to grow him. He’s got a lot of work to do on his kicking game and some work to do on his passing, but he’s got real X-factor, so it’s tricky.”
With Vermaak the safe bet to win the starting job, and Masimla the subject of a development plan, Dobson appreciates the logic of loaning a scrumhalf out to ensure that Stormers’ resources are maximised during the Currie Cup.
“(WP director of rugby) Gert Smal is exploring that possibility,” said the WP coach, “because you don’t want to demoralise a very good player.
“It’s not like Super Rugby; they can’t go play Vodacom Cup for game time, the next step down is club rugby and, with due respect, some of those guys would think that’s not their arena.” - Cape Argus