Western Province Director of Rugby, John Dobson, says the team has invested significant energy into preparing for the 2025 Currie Cup campaign.
The campaign will kick off with a highly anticipated North-South derby against the Bulls at DHL Stadium on July 26.
After finishing sixth last season, Dobson admits there’s now a stronger performance focus and making the playoffs is the key objective.
“Western Province last won the Currie Cup in 2017, that’s a long time. I think there’s been good reason in 2018 we should have won it and then 2020, 2021, it has been a bit curious since then but I think we’d like to play a nice style of rugby,” Dobson said.
“Whilst we got the individual development goals, we didn’t do great for the brand and what our faithful expect.”
Former WP stalwarts Brok Harris and Dewaldt Duvenage have been appointed as forwards and backs coaches, respectively, joining new head coach Labeeb Levy in a refreshed technical team.
Riefaat Jappie will oversee strength and conditioning, while former Springbok Brendan Venter has been named technical consultant.
Dobson says while the competition remains developmental, there’s a clear intent to rebuild a winning culture.
“I think what is really important is for us to grow a coaching base as well. Also just to break the URC coaches, it has been pretty much going for two years and I think the idea for them just to do some personal development, visit other codes or some other rugby teams to come up with some new ideas was really important to us,” he added.
“So, that’s the sort of rational structure and we put a lot of energy into this campaign now coming up. I think those coaches are highly energised, I think we’ve done a nice deal with some sevens players, we’ve gone through the best trial players. We’ve brought in, one or two guys from the outside.”
