Western Province waiting on Steven Kitshoff as Justin Geduld ruled out

WESTERN Province have lost Sevens star Justin Geduld for the rest of the season, while there is uncertainty whether Springbok Steven Kitshoff can play in Saturday’s Currie Cup match against the Lions in Johannesburg (3pm start).

Geduld returned to action for Province in last week’s home loss to the Cheetahs, but early in the first half, he suffered a cheekbone fracture.

WP assistant coach Labeeb Levy said yesterday that Geduld had undergone surgery.

“He will be lucky to make it to the back-end of the competition,” Levy said, before adding that Province are awaiting confirmation from SA Rugby that they can play Kitshoff in the away game against the Lions.

“Kitsie is still an SA Rugby medical project, and they need to guide us as to what they want us to do with him in terms of availability.

“We are still awaiting SA Rugby’s medical feedback on whether we can select him.

“The good thing is that he is training with us, but nothing has been finalised from a selection perspective, and we haven’t yet selected a team.”

Geduld started at No 13 for WP last week, and his injury leaves them increasingly thin in the midfield.

But Levy said they are looking at youngster Joshua Boulle, while the experienced Wandisile Simelane was also mentioned as a possible return this week.

WP’s centre stocks were further affected by a foot injury to promising new inside centre Jonathan Roche, who has produced a number of impressive displays this season.

Otherwise, Province came through the tough match against the Cheetahs, where they went down 26-19 in rainy conditions at Cape Town Stadium last Saturday, in reasonably good shape.

“Stassie (Hendré Stassen) was a bit sore, but he should be fine, while Gary (Porter) has been training, but he also had some issues,” said Levy.

“But generally, the team has a good bill of health.”

There was concern over captain Willie Engelbrecht, who suffered back spasms in the second half, but Levy says the hardy loose forward will be fine.

“Willie took some knocks. We initially thought it was quite bad, but it was spasms from having taken a knock and then running for a long time in the rain. From a medical perspective, he has been passed fit to play.”

Province will hope that the forecast sunny weather in Johannesburg this week will assist them to play their natural attacking game against the Lions at Ellis Park, having had to deal with difficult conditions in Cape Town throughout the Currie Cup.

WP are sixth on the log with just 14 points from six matches, with only two victories to their credit.

The Lions, in contrast, are flying high in second position with 23 points, just three behind leaders the Blue Bulls, and they come off a superb 55-12 thrashing of the Pumas last weekend.

The other Currie Cup fixtures will see the Pumas host the Bulls in Mbombela tomorrow (5.15pm), while on Saturday, the Cheetahs face the Sharks in Bloemfontein (5.15pm). The weekend’s action will conclude with the Griffons taking on Griquas in Welkom on Sunday (3pm).