Brache wings it for WP

UCT centre Marcel Brache will make his provincial debut on the wing against the Griffons this Friday.

The compulsory friendly in Welkom is Western Province’s only fixture before their first Currie Cup game against the Cheetahs on 10 July. Coach Allister Coetzee has picked his strongest available side, and is unlikely to make many changes for next week’s game.

Brache comes in as a late replacement for Frikkie Welsh, who is recovering from a dislocated finger. Brache played outside centre for UCT in the Varsity Cup, but Coetzee feels he should be just as effective on the left wing.

‘I don’t want to speak too soon, but there’s something special about this boy,’ Coetzee told keo.co.za. ‘He’s a talented player and we’ve been very impressed with how he’s stood up to the contact.

‘As a university student, he hasn’t been gymming regularly, so that is something we’ll have to work on. But there have been no problems so far and I’m keen to see how he goes against the Griffons. He has a lot of fight in him, and is a versatile player that can play centre, wing or even fullback.’

The 23-year-old attended Rondebosch Boys High School and was never picked for WP’s Craven Week side. Since joining the UCT team, however, he’s made a great impact, and this Province call-up arrives on the back of his selection for the Springbok Sevens squad.

Brache will form part of back-three unit that includes Fabian Juries and Conrad Jantjes. This will be Jantjes’ first match since he broke his leg in May last year, and Coetzee is expecting the Springbok fullback to find his feet quickly.

‘Conrad has been through a number of contact sessions, and we’re now throwing him into the deep end. He must swim. He’s shown no ill-effects in training and is over the psychological thing [that's part of returning from a serious injury].

‘I would have loved to have given Conrad another game before the Currie Cup starts, but you can’t have everything.’

Paul Bosch fills the void left by Juan de Jongh at inside centre while Tim Whitehead moves back to his preferred position of No 13. With Peter Grant in Japan, Willem de Waal reclaims the flyhalf berth with WP vice-captain Dewaldt Duvenage starting at scrumhalf.

Coetzee has also moved Rynardt Elstadt to blindside flank, and there’s no place for Nick Koster in the matchday squad. It appears as if Koster will have to prove his worth in the U21 side if he’s going to push Duane Vermeulen for that No 8 shirt.

‘Rynardt can cover lock and flank, he’s very much in the Danie Rossouw mold,’ the coach said. ‘Nick is part of the bigger squad, but I want him to build himself up by playing for the U21s first. Now that he’s back in the loose trio, he needs to obtain a greater understanding of our systems.’

As reported by keo.co.za on Monday, Anton van Zyl will lead the side in the absence of several senior players on duty with the Springboks. Should WP qualify for the play-offs, they’ll welcome back these players, and Coetzee confirmed that Stormers skipper Schalk Burger will retake the WP reins in that event.

‘Worms [Van Zyl] has a good head on his shoulders and has been part of our senior group of players since last year. He understands the game well and should do a great job while Schalk is away with the Boks.’

WP -15 Conrad Jantjes, 14 Fabian Juries, 13 Tim Whitehead, 12 Paul Bosch, 11 Marcel Brache, 10 Willem de Waal, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Rynardt Elstadt, 6 Pieter Louw, 5 Anton van Zyl (c), 4 Adriaan Fondse, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 Wicus Blaauw.
Subs: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 JD Moller, 18 JC Kritzinger, 19 Martin Muller, 20 Pieter Myburgh, 21 Conrad Hoffmann, 22 Lionel Cronje.

By Jon Cardinelli



101 Comments

  • 1.garth: Reply to this comment

    Duvenage is k@k.

  • 2.Gambit25: Reply to this comment

    Still no Koster… Injured?

  • 3.Andre_WP: Reply to this comment

    Must say WP forwards not bad at all this year. Hope the backline will fire. Dewald can prove this season how good he realy are. Couple of names i don’t know but i hope they going to do it for us this year.

  • 4.garth: Reply to this comment

    Where is Koster?

  • 5.Gambit25: Reply to this comment

    @garth(garth)-1: You smell like K@k

  • 6.Mighty Horua: Reply to this comment

    De Waal? How old is this dude? Quota!

  • 7.Gambit25: Reply to this comment

    Will each team be allowed 8 subs in the Currie Cup?

  • 8.garth: Reply to this comment

    @Gambit25(Gambit25)-5: Smell. A new skill you have picked up over the net…hey.

  • 9.Boer in beton: Reply to this comment

    WP has a strong Currie Cup team lined up. That front row looks great. They will be hard to beat…but still “GO BULLE!

  • 10.rangerman: Reply to this comment

    @Mighty Horua(Mighty Horua)-6: :lol:

    your comments on every thread are so amusing i am surprised that you dont have a cult following yet.

  • 11.Gambit25: Reply to this comment

    I think this will pretty much be the Currie Cup team…

    I would’ve preferred a halfback combination of Hoffmann/Cronje!

    Also, expect to see Koster come in for Elstadt at 7 with Elstadt dropping to the bench to cover lock/flank

  • 12.rangerman: Reply to this comment

    this side will be cannon fodder for the mighty sharks.

  • 13.bobbyboyshey: Reply to this comment

    @rangerman(rangerman)-12: oooooh. i’ll take that bet! but i’d include bax, koster and cronje in the starting lineup.

  • 14.rangerman: Reply to this comment

    @bobbyboyshey(bobbyboyshey)-13: ok bobby me boy.

    the sharks are now in the strange position of not making up 40-50% of the bok team and instead only having a few players missing for the cc.

    kinda like wp since 2003.

    i sense a second cc in three seasons for the sharkies.

  • 15.logie_Jumpbuck: Reply to this comment

    jeez, WP is churning out centers like there’s no tomorrow! newman, koster, de jongh, whitehead and now this kid.

    bloody hell.

    maybe they should start focussing on getting some quality 10′s as well.

  • 16.gunther: Reply to this comment

    Mighty Gonnorhea.

  • 17.Brigadier Van Zyl: Reply to this comment

    @rangerman(rangerman)-14:

    4 senior trophy’s on the bounce for the bulls?

  • 18.Mighty Horua: Reply to this comment

    @gunther(gunther)-16: You have it? :lol:

  • 19.katman: Reply to this comment

    @rangerman(rangerman)-12: Who in turn will be a hors-d’oeuvre for the Hungry Lions. That’s the food chain for you.

  • 20.Brigadier Van Zyl: Reply to this comment

    @Mighty Horua(Mighty Horua)-6:

    no no no.

    we all already know, that quota positions…are for non-white players.

    not pensioners.
    pensioners are still selected based on merit.

  • 21.rangerman: Reply to this comment

    @Brigadier Van Zyl(Brigadier Van Zyl)-17: haha, we shall see but i think the quality the bulls have lost will hamper them when they play the sharks.

    the fs, as usual, will have the benefit of a settled side.

  • 22.Brigadier Van Zyl: Reply to this comment

    Fabian Juries must still be the doffest oke about.
    He could have played S14 all season for the Cheetahs and gotten himself into Springbok contention.

    Instead he sat on the bench for the Stormers, when he did eventually get onto the bench.

  • 23.katman: Reply to this comment

    Why do all Province threads have the male underwear banner ad on them? Or is this just a completely freakish coincidence?

  • 24.Brigadier Van Zyl: Reply to this comment

    @rangerman(rangerman)-21:

    It’s true….Bulls will be basically at vodacom cup strengh for a few games.

  • 25.Brigadier Van Zyl: Reply to this comment

    It is unfortunate that the Currie cup has become to the big unions what the Vodacom cup was always supposed to be.

  • 26.wpw: Reply to this comment

    I am not a huge fan of Myburgh. I think Yaya Hartzenberg is a HUGE talent and he will be a great asset to WP rugby for years to come.

    Where the hell is Nick Koster??

  • 27.rangerman: Reply to this comment

    @katman(katman)-19: haha, i am more a pick ‘n pay guy than a checkers chappie.

    (the boer war retail style)

    @katman(katman)-23: :lol: i think not.

    @Brigadier Van Zyl(Brigadier Van Zyl)-24: ja, it is quite weird that the better a franchise does at s14 level, the worse its core unions chances are at cc level.

    shouldve seen the writing on the wall in 2008 :lol:

    that said, the bulls have done well due to their immense squad and great structures.

  • 28.bobbyboyshey: Reply to this comment

    @rangerman(rangerman)-14: that’s only because the sharkies have failed to blood quality talent, with the exception of lambie, for the last 3 years. with dudes like terblanche moving from one position to another and a handful of number 10′s trying to fill the gaps. why didn’t sharks sign jean de villers? they need a 10,12,13

  • 29.gunther: Reply to this comment

    Katman

    There is no such thing as coincidence when it comes to oonerpantie advertising.

  • 30.rangerman: Reply to this comment

    @bobbyboyshey(bobbyboyshey)-28: ja, your guess is as good as mine though i think the sharks have blooded a few like mvovo and vulindlu, pat cilliers and more to come this cc.

    the problem is not the poor run, its how long it lasts but i guess as a wp supporter you know that already :lol:

  • 31.grant10: Reply to this comment

    ag bloody hell man….not Wikkelspies at 10 again!

    Lionel Cronje must really have made huge kak to constantly be benched…..sorry wp…looks pretty ho hum to me.

  • 32.grant10: Reply to this comment

    no fetcher…..a retreaded young lock at blindside flank….a center at wing…..

    a carthorse at 10.

    Makes me mal.

  • 33.iori Yagami: Reply to this comment

    Glad Brache is getting an oppurtunity. He was very good in the Varsity Cup. Reminds me of JPP with ball in hand strong, balanced runner. Can take 50 m kicks too.

    What is De waal still doing in this team?? Please WP sell him or release him!! He is not helping us in anyway. Cronje should start.

    I think its right that Koster plays a bit of U21. Remember he only recently returned to forward play.

  • 34.Willehonde: Reply to this comment

    What the hell is the point of playing oupa de Waal against the Griffons???

    Where is JJ Engelbrecht? I would at least have Koster on the bench.

    The currie cup should be used to develop talent not be a life life for pensioners!

  • 35.moedeloos: Reply to this comment

    @grant10(grant10)-32: is that like playing an inside centre at 15 for the boks ;-)

  • 36.iori Yagami: Reply to this comment

    @grant10(grant10)-32: I also have a problem with no fetcher….Myburgh should start with P. Louw at 7.

  • 37.XhosaKid: Reply to this comment

    @rangerman(rangerman)-30: What I as a WP supporter know is that, I dont even consider a conversation with Natal when it comes to Currie Cup, in fact you should be having that debate with Border and Griquas, those are your close competitors in terms of winning the Currie Cup.

  • 38.grant10: Reply to this comment

    @moedeloos(moedeloos)-35: LOL

    Jaaa boet.@iori Yagami(iori Yagami)-36: my thoughts exactly.

  • 39.XhosaKid: Reply to this comment

    @grant10(grant10)-32: I’m still trying to figure out, WTF is Allister doing, why can these guys ( Coetzee and Erasmus) play a 20yr old Australian who is less talented than Lionel Cronje, why?

  • 40.iori Yagami: Reply to this comment

    That WP tight five looks very strong, we should dominate most scrums and lineouts.

  • 41.rangerman: Reply to this comment

    @XhosaKid(XhosaKid)-37: well thats sweet mate, but that doesnt mean natal wont be playing your lads.

    if ancient history keeps you happy then hang onto it by all means but remember, us natal boys feel the same way about talking with stormers fans when it comes to superrugby :lol:

  • 42.iori Yagami: Reply to this comment

    @XhosaKid(XhosaKid)-39: True guy makes no sense at all. They need to get de waal out of there.

  • 43.grant10: Reply to this comment

    @XhosaKid(XhosaKid)-39: very confusing for me as well…..

  • 44.iori Yagami: Reply to this comment

    Good to see Martin Muller back in the fold. He looks like a great prospect. Our depth is actually quite good, we should easily make the semi’s.

  • 45.XhosaKid: Reply to this comment

    @rangerman(rangerman)-41: last time I checked, the Sharks haven’t won any Superrugby, have I missed something…

  • 46.rangerman: Reply to this comment

    @XhosaKid(XhosaKid)-39: i agree, why matt toumama was brought out is still a mystery to me?

  • 47.rangerman: Reply to this comment

    @XhosaKid(XhosaKid)-45: haha, you must have missed all the semis and finals we played whilst you were washing your car and grant was gardening :lol:

  • 48.Doppies_better_than_De_jongh: Reply to this comment

    LOL @ washing car & gardening

  • 49.iori Yagami: Reply to this comment

    @rangerman(rangerman)-47: Are you serious about the Sharks chances for the CC?? What will be their strongest team.

  • 50.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment

    @rangerman(rangerman)-47: :lol: :lol:

  • 51.ARK: Reply to this comment

    @Gambit25(Gambit25)-2: It never ceases to amaze me how people comment on here without reading the article. It clearly says he is playing in the under 21′s for now.

  • 52.ARK: Reply to this comment

    @bobbyboyshey(bobbyboyshey)-28: The sensible lad had no interest in playing for the sardines.

  • 53.iori Yagami: Reply to this comment

    @ARK(ARK)-51: Ja true hey! lol

  • 54.rangerman: Reply to this comment

    david blaine is apparently gutted.

    his record of 42 days in a box doing fukall has just been broken.

    by wayne rooney.

  • 55.Mighty Horua: Reply to this comment

    @rangerman(rangerman)-54: :lol:

  • 56.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment

    @rangerman(rangerman)-54: LOL

  • 57.rangerman: Reply to this comment

    england has just released a flood warning as 5 million scots piss themselves laughing.

  • 58.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment

    @rangerman(rangerman)-57: :lol: :lol: keep it up bro ur on a roll

    ^5

  • 59.katman: Reply to this comment

    @rangerman(rangerman)-57: Three hours of football and Robert Green is still England’s joint top scorer.

  • 60.Robzim: Reply to this comment

    @sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-58:

    Right, but it was also not fair on England to play in a match officiated be a Linesman and Referee who both graduated from the Stevie Wonder School for the blind and visually impaired (Uruguayan Agency).

  • 61.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment

    Rob i agree but the germans still would have won

    they were top strong for england , england however are their own worst enimy , they were shocking the whole tournament

    as for the officiating in the world cup it has over all be shocking to say the least

  • 62.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment

    @Robzim(Robzim)-60: further more i had not really said anything against england
    i just asked ranger to carry on with the good jokes

  • 63.katman: Reply to this comment

    First Englishman: “What was the final score in the match this evening?”

    Second Englishman: “Nil-Nil”.

    First Englishman: “What was the score at half-time?”

  • 64.Robzim: Reply to this comment

    @sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-61:

    I see Blatter has now appologised to England and to Mexico for the shocking decisions that went against them. Apparantly they are going to open up the discussion to possibly bring in goalline technology but he is adamant that they do not need any technology for offside and other offences.

    Germany was probably stronger on the day, but who knows what would have happened if they allowed the goal – It could have been different as England would have played differently (and not catch up soccer).

    All water under the bridge tho….

  • 65.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment

    @Robzim(Robzim)-64: rob yes water under the bridge , but blatter is an idiot and is controlled with money i think

    he says sorry to england and mexico??

    what about all the other countries that suffered bad calls like the usa

    2 goals dissalowed for offside when they were well onside

  • 66.Robzim: Reply to this comment

    @sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-62:

    Yip, sorry man, my post no 60 was supposed to be for Ranger – I watched too much football lately – eyes a bit tired.

  • 67.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment

    @Robzim(Robzim)-66: lol its cool rob no biggie mate

  • 68.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment

    @Robzim(Robzim)-66: i do however support germany :wink: so i still happy in the world cup :lol:

  • 69.Robzim: Reply to this comment

    @sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-68:

    I support the Dutch now. My 3 teams were always Bafana, Netherlands and England so at least one is still around.
    Never liked the Germans :)

  • 70.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment

    @Robzim(Robzim)-69: lol i aalways loved the germans again and my wqide is of german heritage , sieg heil und sheize :lol:

  • 71.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment

    omg typos wqide = wife

  • 72.justrugby: Reply to this comment

    @rangerman(rangerman)-47:

    Andy Goode an even bigger mystery ? There was a brainfart if I ever saw one !!

  • 73.justrugby: Reply to this comment

    @sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-70:

    I take it not much humour in the house then ? :)

  • 74.justrugby: Reply to this comment

    Where’s my boy Johan Sadie ???……..Sharks go make an offer !!!

  • 75.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment

    @justrugby(justrugby)-73: afraid you guess wrong :lol:

  • 76.grant10: Reply to this comment

    my team now Ghana.

    But if kak goes down there i am now firmly behind the Spanish or Dutch….will be lekker to have a new team win it in Africa.

    gERMANS ….NO THANKS….THAT GOALIE AN UNHOLY CHEATING SON OF A ….

  • 77.justrugby: Reply to this comment

    @sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-75:

    Lucky man :)

  • 78.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment

    @grant10(grant10)-76: BS grant

    england lost get over it

    ghana could still spring more surprises

    dutch the same

    most on form team prolly the argies

  • 79.grant10: Reply to this comment

    @sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-78: Germans cheated….klaar….goalie a bloody cheating son of a *****!

    Eng had to throw men forward and got caught on the break….i hope Argies moer germans 3 zip, the goalie a cheat, klaar!.

    Brazil also a threat….i enjoy the football…been to 3games so far….great stuff…but i agree …some terrible reffing calls….and at vital stages of the games too….

  • 80.grant10: Reply to this comment

    and England are as pap snoek as smit at 3.

  • 81.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment

    @grant10(grant10)-79: how did the germans cheat????????????????????

    the refs were useless and are to blame for the BS grant getting caught on the break is part of the game grant , and like the 3rd for the germans it looked like the englisshman was looking for parking as the german ran past the english defender

  • 82.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment

    @grant10(grant10)-80: but smit still 1 million times stronger then wussie watson :lol:

  • 83.grant10: Reply to this comment

    @sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-81: LOL

    Ja….Germans were too strong, fast and young ! Better team won on the day, but that goalie should have indicated to ref it was a goal…fark me it was miles behind the line !

    Anyway….except for some poor calls i have loved the WC….but hell i am moeg! All 3 games i been to in CT it has been either stormy or freezing! Hoping for a miracle ticket for sat for the germany…argie game….but okes bloody greedy, R2000.00 for a ticket a bit rough!

  • 84.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment

    @grant10(grant10)-83: lol grant true and yes it was a good goal , poor officiating

    my restaurant has been pact most day with the foolsball :lol:

  • 85.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment

    @grant10(grant10)-83: another thing grant , with the way they all dive in football they all cheat in one form or another

  • 86.grant10: Reply to this comment

    @sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-85: glad the business benefitting …Cape Town has been absolutely fantastic….today i almost got taken out by a crowd of pissed Spanish on mountain bikes on my walk route!

    This weekend will be insane again….lots of Germans here as well…

    Its fantastic times….i am out there enjoying it as much as i can.

    Ja, all the prima donna divers….last nite ronaldo done himself no favours, even my blonde called him a bit of a girl!!

  • 87.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment

    @grant10(grant10)-86: lol great stuff
    yeah ranaldo to me is a little prima donna that spoils the game

    he was not even in last nights game

  • 88.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment

    The Sharks CC side will give this Weepee side such a snotklap. Come to think of it, the Sharks S14 side gave the Weepee copycat S14 side such a snotklap too…

  • 89.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment

    @Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-88: :lol:

  • 90.Transformation: Reply to this comment

    i see a lot sh.t talking towards blatter, what did the irb do about the forward pass that led to france’s try against new zealand? Was it referred to the tmo? Did wayne barnes lose his job?

    It is sport, it is not perfect. If you want a game with reviews for everything go watch cricket or american football where the game take 4 hours to finish

  • 91.Transformation: Reply to this comment

    @grant10(grant10)-80: come on grant, what did you expect the german goalie to do? Pronounce to the rest of the world that the ball has crossed the line?

  • 92.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment

    @Transformation(Transformation)-90: Blatter and his organisation stand to profit handsomely at the expense of SA…. He has rather outdated views on the use of technology…

  • 93.Robzim: Reply to this comment

    A forward pass or an offside is one thing but a try or whether a football has crossed the goalline is something else. At least rugby has got it right there with the TMO’s and there is no reason why football cannot do the same. Blatter has agreed to look at goalline technology again after this latest incident.

    The German goallie is a cheat because he clearly saw the ball crossing the line and then went on acting as if it did not. That is cheating whichever way you look at it.

  • 94.Transformation: Reply to this comment

    @Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-92: fyi the whole technology issue was put to a vote in march this year, the english FA & scottish voted for it but ireland & northern ireland voted against it. So even the big wigs in the uk don’t agree with each other. Ffs the irb wanted a £80 million pound upfront for the right to host the RWC. Australia even bowed out of the running saying they don’t have that kind of money to throw around.

  • 95.Transformation: Reply to this comment

    @Robzim(Robzim)-93: this issue has been rehashed so many times, like i said, different FAs vote differently. Even Uefa’s Michel Platini hasn’t implemented it in the champions league. Only this year they tried 2 extra referees behind the goals in the Uefa Cup (europa cup)

  • 96.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment

    @Transformation(Transformation)-94: So cricket and tennis can afford this technology but poofball can’t – reminds me of a “simulation” dive type of an excuse…

  • 97.rugby_only: Reply to this comment

    they should wait a bit – one of the other provinces are shure to pick him up – or the overseas teams!? He’s to old for the ‘saders development squad – they want school kids.

  • 98.mxhosa: Reply to this comment

    @Transformation(Transformation)-95:

    EP side to play Blue Bulls on Saturday, nice to Mxoli at 2 coz that’s where his future is at the top level… now if only they can get Buhle Mxunyelwa from WP, we could have a black front row to rival anyone in the CC premier division.

    Coach Alan Solomans

    15 Tiger Mangweni
    14 Norman Nelson
    13 Wayne Stevens
    12 De Wet Barry (Cpt)
    11 Milo Nqoro
    10 Matthew Taylor-Smith
    9 Donald Stevens

    8 Daron Nel
    7 Zolani Mofu
    6 Jacques Potgieter
    5 Lungelo Payi
    4 Rory Duncan (Vice Capt)
    3 Riaan Vermeulen
    2 Sangoni Mxoli
    1 Pumlani Nodikida

    Reserves

    16 Robert Dyer
    17 Raoul Larson
    18 Sphephelo Mayaba
    19 Brendon Snyman
    20 Jonathan Gagiano
    21 Morne Hanekom
    22 Marlon Lewis
    23 Jaco van Schalkwyk
    24 Mzwandile Stick
    25 Paul Perez

  • 99.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment

    “we could have a black front row to rival anyone in the CC…” – why do you want a “black” front row…?

  • 100.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment

    @Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-99: Not enfranchised enough…

  • 101.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment

    @Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-100: ?

Keo.co.za has always promoted uncensored views, but has never tolerated racist or crass outbursts. Come on guys and girls. If you can't moderate yourselves or each other then I am going to be forced to regulate the posts and enforce a registration process for comments. The choice is yours.

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