Vodacom Western Province will have to tackle the Blue Bulls in a Currie Cup match at Newlands on Saturday without fiery hooker Tiaan Liebenberg.

According to the WP Website Liebenberg sustained a knee injury in the match against the Sharks in Durban this past Saturday and on Monday was ruled out after going for a scan. Team manager Chippie Solomons confirmed Monday that their first-choice hooker will be watching from the sidelines while his mates try and retain their top spot on the log.

“He could have played but we have decided to rather give him time to recover. We have Deon Fourie and Hanyane Shimange to choose from,” said Solomons. The manager reported a clean bill of health otherwise. Coach Allister Coetzee said he was very satisfied with the way the players performed in Durban. “I was very happy. It is not everyday that you go to Durban and the Shark Tank and come away with the points. ”

“It was important to kick off the second round on a winning note and the victory was just fantastic.” Province now can boast that they are the only team to beat the defending champions twice in the competition after also winning (29-15) the first match  of the season at Newlands.

“Yes, it is an achievement and that is why I say this win cannot be underestimated. It was a good win for us. The Sharks will definitely be there when it comes to the playoffs so I am happy with what I have seen from my team. “I was very happy with our scrum and lineouts and the forwards deserve the credit for that. However, I was more than happy with the backline play in all departments, especially with their physicality.

“The Sharks chose two physical, strong ball-carrying centres but our guys, Juan de Jongh, Peter Grant, Joe Pietersen, even Frikkie Welsh and JJ Engelbrecht when they came on chipped in and did well in the physical confrontation. But that is what we expect from this group of players.”

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