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Steve, Dozi, Robbie 'help' WP
03/10/2006 22:00 - (SA)
Herbert Pretorius, Die Burger
Cape Town - Popular singers Dozi, Robbie Wessels and Steve Hofmeyr were roped in, unknowingly, on Tuesday to help the Western Province rugby team prepare for the Currie Cup semi-final against the Blue Bulls in Pretoria on Saturday.
Hit songs of these entertainers were played full blast over the Newlands loudspeakers while the WP players were training for their most important match so far this season.
WP coach Kobus van der Merwe said the aim of this new "training method" was to prepare the young members of the team for what they could expect at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
"The noise levels at Loftus are unbelievable when the stands are packed," Van der Merwe said.
"This makes it extremely difficult, particularly for the hooker, his lineout jumpers and the supporting players, to communicate."
WP hooker Tiaan Liebenberg has never played in front of such a big crowd and lock Francois van der Merwe and tighthead prop Brock Harris have also not experienced a packed Loftus stadium.
"We thought it would be a good idea to put these players under pressure during training by making it as difficult as possible for them to hear each other," Van der Merwe said.
Songs such as Ryperd (Dozi), Die Blou Bul-lied (Hofmeyr), Leeuloop (Wessels) and Gé Korsten's Liefling were played during the practice.
The youngsters in the Province team won't be the only ones to have their first experience of a Currie Cup semi-final on Saturday. The referee in the North/South derby, Marius Jonker, will be in the same boat.
- Die Burger
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