Western Province are sweating over the fitness of their two frontline flyhalves ahead of a tricky Currie Cup trip to Kimberley to face a combative Griquas outfit.
WP’s preparations for Friday’s third-round clash against Griquas have been disrupted by a growing crisis at No 10.
Kyle Smith, who started both matches for the Cape side so far, is in doubt after suffering a shoulder injury during the 40-19 defeat to the Lions at Ellis Park. Jurie Mathee, the squad’s most senior flyhalf, is yet to feature this campaign due to concussion and faces a late fitness test.
“We’ll find out today the severity of [Smith’s] shoulder injury,” said WP assistant coach Brok Harris.
Hopefully he won’t be out for too long. Jurie still needs to pass a fitness test and hopefully he comes through.”
With Smith likely sidelined and Mathee racing the clock, it leaves Tristan Leyds as the only fully fit option at flyhalf. Leyds has impressed off the bench in both of WP’s matches and is expected to wear the No 10 jersey at the Suzuki Stadium.
There is some relief in the form of reinforcements from the Junior Springbok ranks. Gino Cupido made an immediate impact on debut last week, and more U20 stars – including captain Riley Norton, Xola Nyali, Wandile Mlaba, Oliver Reid, Herman Lubbe, Siya Ndlozi and Dominic Malgas – are now available for selection.
“I think some of them will be considered this week,” said Harris.
“They’ve had some time to rest and just mentally switch off a bit. I think they’re ready to go.”
Despite the loss in Joburg, Harris was encouraged by his side’s forward effort – particularly the set-piece and maul, which produced two tries for loose forward Louw Nel.
“Griquas pride themselves on a good set-piece and they were strong in that department against Boland last week. So we need to show physicality and have a good set-piece as well, because that’s where they are strong,” Harris added.
