Taute sidelined with rib injury

Editor

WP inside centre Jaco Taute is the lone casualty from his team’s win over the Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein last weekend.

Western Province inside centre Jaco Taute is the lone casualty from his team’s last-gasp win over the Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein last weekend.

Taute is nursing a rib injury, similar to that sustained recently by Springbok number eight Duane Vermeulen.

Province coach Allister Coetzee said Taute took a severe knock to the ribs and he would not be considered for selection for their final Currie Cup round-robin match against the Sharks at Newlands on Saturday.

“On the injury front, things are looking much better than has been the case all season,” said Coetzee.

“Jaco has a rib injury and it’s always a sensitive one because the muscles have been damaged.

“The injury is similar to Duane’s but Jaco looks like he’ll be ready to play in next week’s semi-final at Newlands.”

Coetzee explained the squad has switched on to a “semi-final” mentality even though there was still one regular season fixture remaining.

After their weekend win, Province have moved eight points clear at the top of the table and will end the regular season at the top of the table.

The outcome of Saturday’s match against the Sharks will have no bearing on Province’s log position.

“Mentally we are already in a semi-final space and we’ve earned the right to be there after the weekend’s win,” added Coetzee..

“Everything we do from this point onwards is geared towards the semi-final, and that includes our thinking about team selection.

“It’s a bit of a balancing act because some players can do with a rest but we don’t want this team to lose its (winning) momentum.”

The extra players at Monday’s training which involved an expanded squad would give depth to their player reserves for the play-off matches.

Springbok hooker Tiaan Liebenberg joined in at training after a long injury-enforced lay-off and could feature in Saturday’s clash.

Lock Jean Kleyn and full-back Cheslin Kolbe were both watching from the sidelines.

Province, however, was still holding out slender hopes of the duo making a dramatic recovery in time for the play-offs.

Next week, Springbok Sevens stalwarts Justin Geduld and Seabelo Senatla will rejoin Province after doing duty at the Gold Coast Sevens.