Bok duo back for Cats

Bok duo back for Cats

3 Apr 2006

Springboks Ashwin Willemse and Andre Pretorius could make a dual Vodacom Super 14 comeback for the Cats against the Reds at Ellis Park this coming weekend, backline coach Allister Coetzee has confirmed.

Although it is likely the pair will only be introduced off the bench, it is indeed a massive fillip for a team that will be trying desperately to put an unsuccessful overseas tour behind them with a win in front of their home fans. “Andre played for the Vodacom Cup side this weekend and I heard good things,” Coetzee told keo.co.za from his home in Port Elizabeth where he was enjoying some much-deserved time with his family.

“He also kicked a couple of conversions which is great if we are to get back to winning ways against the Reds. We are definitely thinking of getting him and Ashwin back into the mix this weekend,” Coetzee said.

Pretorius’s return will be especially welcome in Cats circles with the loss of the Bok No 10 as well as Nel Fourie a bitter blow for the Johannesburg-based outfit in the early rounds of the Super 14. Although Tiaan Snyman has stepped up with enthusiasm, his inexperience was cruelly exposed on tour.

Willemse did not take part in the Vodacom match (which the Lions drew 24-24 with Griquas in Kimberley) and has been nursing ankle and knee injuries for the better part of two years, but could get a run in a match the Cats simply have to win if they don’t want to see their season disappear down the drain. Willemse last played Super Rugby more than a year ago.

“Ashwin could also come on off the bench. It is great to have key players returning and have home ground advantage for the next few matches. It will make a huge difference to our fortunes because the spirit is still good,” predicted Coetzee.

By Andrew Hollely


25 Comments

  • 1.TheTackler: Reply to this comment
    3 Apr 2006, 07:08 am

    Too late by half. The Cats season is over already. All they can seriously aim for is to avoid relegation, as the Southern Spares issue just won’t go away, one feels.

    But how a vast city the size of Joburg, year after year, can’t field even one halfway-competitive Super Rugby team is a mystery to me.

  • 2.bliksem: Reply to this comment
    3 Apr 2006, 07:19 am

    How someone who has immigrated to NZ and have no friends there neither did he have back in SA hang around on this website is beyond me.How someone can drink Viking Beer which is described as having a cardboard taste and is the cheapest drop in NZ is beyond me.Surely cant be for financial reasonsHow someone on Friday nights/early Sat morning(NZ time) can hang around on this website is beyond me.

  • 3.Hop Hop Spinnekop: Reply to this comment
    3 Apr 2006, 07:39 am

    “I heard good things”.
    Fakit… you should think that a backline coach will go make an effort to go and have a look at Andre’s performance at the weekend. Ja nee ou Allister impress my f0kk0l.

    Waar is Danie Gerber… laat hy bietjie ons Bokke vat…. daai man het die Pumas laat shine so paar jaar terug.

  • 4.Andrew: Reply to this comment
    3 Apr 2006, 08:22 am

    The Cats had a mandatory week off with families(although much graft was evident) and after spending five weeks being hammered in Australasia it may just be the tonic needed to fire their season. Besides that Cats have plenty of spies to do the dirty work and get the messages through. Let’s see after Saturday.

  • 5.katman: Reply to this comment
    3 Apr 2006, 08:33 am

    I agree – it’s a little late to really save their season. But in the context of the results of the last 4 years (second-last, last, last, second-last), a finish among the top ten teams could be considered successful. So, as far as I’m concerned, they still have much to play for.

    Welcom back, Andre and Ashwin. Hope you can help us end the season on a high note.

    And Allister – enjoy your stay in PE. There’s no rush in getting back. Take a few weeks if you like.

  • 6.nicksteroonie: Reply to this comment
    3 Apr 2006, 08:55 am

    Bliksem, my thoughts exactly.

  • 7.Steel Shark: Reply to this comment
    3 Apr 2006, 09:18 am

    Come on Ash prove to everyone you were not just a one hit wonder! we need more wingers like him big, strong, fast and always looking for work.

  • 8.Grrrr....I'm a Lion!: Reply to this comment
    3 Apr 2006, 09:33 am

    It’s never to late!!! See the Mighty Cats ROAR for the remaining of the season!! Pretorius, don’t you ever die (and never leave…). GO CATS!!!!!

  • 9.bliksem: Reply to this comment
    3 Apr 2006, 09:39 am

    Grrrr dis vir my duidelik jy werk van die huis af.Jy sal 10 teen 1 oor so n uur uitpass.So 15:00 wakker skrik en dan al die kak kom lees wat jy gepost het want jy kan dit nie onthou nie.Daarna gaan jy eer begin vlesvat.Goeie werk jy laat my darem lag.

  • 10.Grrrr....I'm a Lion!: Reply to this comment
    3 Apr 2006, 09:44 am

    Bliksem

    Happy to put a smile on your dail, I will be here all week! :) Ek is seker daie gesuip maar ek het al geleer dat as jy ophou dan voel ek baie k@k… Gewoone mense noem die babbelas of iets…

  • 11.bliksem: Reply to this comment
    3 Apr 2006, 09:48 am

    Grrr kom jy van een van daai plekke in Transvaal waar die girls tiete kry voor hulle tande kry?

  • 12.gaybull: Reply to this comment
    3 Apr 2006, 09:56 am

    Grr – Do you think the Cats can make a come back this season?

  • 13.Grrrr....I'm a Lion!: Reply to this comment
    3 Apr 2006, 10:08 am

    Gaybull

    Well, it’s getting a bit tight to win it but there is always hope. Without Hope you can have no faith, and without faith you can not live… Deep… Got that from watching TV last night… :)

    Bliksem

    Jy sal bang wees broer!! Ek is vannie ‘East Rand’, next to the Airport! Barry Hilton spot altyd met ons. :)

  • 14.bliksem: Reply to this comment
    3 Apr 2006, 10:15 am

    Grrr ek vat liewers my kanse in jou valley as in die kaap tussen al daai moffies.

  • 15.Grrrr....I'm a Lion!: Reply to this comment
    3 Apr 2006, 10:20 am

    Bliksem

    Ha, ha… Ja, dit is anders hier in die skadu van die berg en ek mis die ‘valley’ partykeer maar die Kaap het meer as net *** ouens. My grootste probleem hier is die frieken WP onderstueners en ook dat die ouens nie kan bestuur nie!!!!

  • 16.sarky: Reply to this comment
    3 Apr 2006, 10:20 am

    Go Cats. Aim for at least position 8 on the ladder! Although the Stormers and Bulls have an easy tour, expect the Stormers to implode at least twice.

  • 17.bliksem: Reply to this comment
    3 Apr 2006, 10:21 am

    Jy is reg grrr die kaap het meer as ****.Hulle het ook n kak rugbyspan.

  • 18.sarky: Reply to this comment
    3 Apr 2006, 10:24 am

    Keo, Simon!!!! Is there not enough interest in the game to add a separate coaches and referees section for the muppits to toss there hand granades at?

    Especially the coaches as they seem to use the same TV coaches that failed ANC politicians do. No credibility – same speeches each time and always learning.

  • 19.bigg: Reply to this comment
    3 Apr 2006, 10:49 am

    Bliksem – Check your mail! I will give you R150.00 for the Polar?

  • 20.cab: Reply to this comment
    3 Apr 2006, 11:24 am

    mofo, this is just what is needed, these two will make a huge difference, reckon the Cats will take the Reds, but perhaps its just cos they were’nt klapped this weekend.

  • 21.Grrrr....I'm a Lion!: Reply to this comment
    3 Apr 2006, 12:20 pm

    Cats to win Super14!!!

  • 22.mighty lion: Reply to this comment
    3 Apr 2006, 13:57 pm

    cats in top half of log!!!!!……….grrrr u enthusiast u.

    9. januarie
    10. pretorius
    11.willimse
    12.grant esterhaizen
    13.fourie
    14.jantjes
    15.rose

    guys this team, who has played most/all its hard matches away from home, should win 90%+ of the rest thats 20+ points!!!!

  • 23.CouchRugga: Reply to this comment
    3 Apr 2006, 20:16 pm

    mighty lion, that is virtualy a Bok backline…how can the Cats be so bad?

  • 24.mighty lion: Reply to this comment
    3 Apr 2006, 20:32 pm

    virtually??

    rose is the only player that has only been a baby bok, all the others have been capped.

    I duno could frans ludeke, relegation, playing the top teams on the super14 with 3+ key players injured at every match.

    cats have never fired well, maybe this could b their season to shock. maybe the bok backline coach can try inspire.

    the pieces are set, only januarie injured, can still have swartboi, human on bench for backline.

    buy ur tickets ppl u in for cats who finaly have a flyhalf to use their backs!!!!

  • 25.YoMama: Reply to this comment
    3 Apr 2006, 22:10 pm

    So they will suck a little less?

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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