Cavaliers straighten up for WP
Mon, 21 Jul 2008 12:51
Throwing in at the line-outs will be the Boland's main focal point this week as they prepare for their Currie Cup rugby clash with neighbours Western Province (WP) at Newlands on Saturday.
The Cavaliers' line-outs were a disaster against the Blue Bulls last weekend. By the 26th minute of the first half Boland hooker, Pieter Wium, was blown up five times already for not throwing the ball in straight.
That cost the home team valuable possession - especially when they were close to the Bulls' try-line.
London Irish acquisition Brad Mockford, was for the first time in charge of the team's line-out calls and although it was not a hundred percent success, that was no excuse for Wium to throw the ball in skew.
Coach Deon Davids admitted the line-outs let the team down.
"Yes, our line-out play was a disaster and we will put many hours into that this week," Davids said.
Against quality jumpers like Adriaan Fondse and Ross Skeate the Cavaliers cannot afford to repeat last weekend's mistakes.
Davids said he was still not sure whether Piet van Zyl and Dewey Swartbooi will be fit for Saturday.
Both withdrew before the Bulls game with injuries after the captain's run last Thursday. Their respective replacements, Deon Scholtz and Kobus Meintjes, were not as solid on defence as the coach wanted, but they brought more pace to the backline.
Prop Andries Human, who missed the match because of flu, should be ready to take his place.
Davids was not prepared to say whether WP discard, Isma-eel Dollie, would face his old team-mates.
"I think it will be unfair on Dollie to put him under a huge amount of pressure from the outset," added Davids.
This could mean that Dollie could start off the bench or sit out of the game completely.
SAPA
