Jano Vermaak

With the arrival of Jano Vermaak at DHL Newlands, Western Province are faced with too much depth at scrumhalf and 1 No 9 possibly has to go.

Western Province have the luxury to choose from Nic Groom, Louis Schreuder, Jano Vermaak and up-and-coming youngster Godlen Masimla as their scrumhalf.

To manage all 4 highly rated No 9’s is a concern for Dobson, indicating that loaning 1 out may be the only option.

“To be honest that’s a fair source of stress,” Dobson said at a Cape Town media briefing.

“That’s a position we have real depth and Gert Smal is exploring that.

The issue with the Currie Cup is that unlike during Super Rugby where players lower down the pecking order have an opportunity to get game time in the Vodacom Cup, the next step down from Currie Cup is club rugby and Dobson said that “some of those guys will think its not for them.”

Groom for the most part of Super Rugby was 1st choice scrumhalf for the Stormers with Schreuder as his backup but now with the experienced Vermaak in the picture things could change.

“Jano Vermaak, although rusty, you can see how sharp his pass is,” admitted Dobson.

“Louis was a Springbok tourist 2 years ago and he has also turned down massive offers from the Bulls who were very keen on him.”

Then there is the conundrum for Dobson of managing a younger player such as Masimla.

“I’ve worked with Godlen for 2 or 3 years now and I know he has got real X-factor and he is a youngster that has a big contribution to make.

“The challenge with Godlen is that we have to expose him, otherwise we are not going to grow him.

“He has a lot of work to do on his kicking game and his passing but he has X-factor… so its tricky.

“To try and bring him through and manage the 3 seniors is going to very tough.

“Louis has at times been our number 1 and Groom has had times at number 1, so any player who goes from number 1 to 3 or 4 is tough,” said Dobson indicating that Vermaak has pretty much claimed the No 9 jersey.

According to Dobson Vermaak could be open to a rotational policy but at the same time he still has his eyes on a possible World Cup spot. With that in mind and the necessity to expose Masimla, Schreuder just might be the 1 to find game time elsewhere.

Loaning a player is nothing new to Western Province – not so long ago Kurt Coleman was sent on a spell to the SWD Eagles.

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