‘There are a few things we have improved from that loss’ – Rito Hlungwani

The DHL Western Province are set to get their kick off their Currie Cup campaign when they take on log leaders and recent Super Rugby Unlocked winners the Vodacom Blue Bulls at Newlands on Saturday.

This weekends match will see two of the competition’s sides and a potential last North-South derby at Newlands. Western Province forwards coach Rito Hlungwani when speaking to the media elaborated on the speciality of the game. 

“It’s always a great honour to play in the North-South derby, it’s always nice for Western Province to play in Newlands, and there’s not a better team to play than the Bulls,” said Hlungwani.

The Bulls battered Western Province/Stormers 39-6 when the teams faced off last time in Pretoria, producing a scintillating first-half display, the rugby gods called off the game in the second half with a spark of a heavy thunderstorm as they sensed an embarrassment was looming. Since that game, the side from Cape Town has been on the up. 

“There are a few things we have improved from that loss, we have moved on from it, and we focused on working hard,” said Hlungwani.

Lock Salmaan Moerat, who has been one of the standout performers this year, is also excited about the derby and the prospect of getting revenge against the Bulls. The 22-year-old has formed a great partnership with JD Schickerling and will look at continuing to fine-tune their form come this weekend.

“It’s been enjoyable, JD is a very smart lineout organiser, and just the calmness he brings to me and the rest of the pack is invaluable. I enjoy playing with him, it’s been for a couple of years now and we are slowly being in sync with each other, hopefully, we can carry on,” said Moerat.

A game that would have been a big draw, is, unfortunately, going to be played without spectators due to Covid-19 protocols.