The ambitious Western Province team was dealt another cruel blow on Tuesday with the news that star Springbok flank Schalk Burger will be missing at least two Currie Cup matches due to a rib injury.

And the possibility exists that Burger may be out for longer than the initial two weeks.

The fiery loose forward, who left the field in the 67th minute of South Africa's Tri-Nations-clinching victory over the All Blacks in Hamilton at the weekend, will be sidelined for the next fortnight with bruised ribs.

Burger will thus miss Friday's match against the Leopards in Potchefstroom and next week's home game against Griquas.

WP's remaining league fixtures in the Currie Cup competition are against Boland in Cape Town and the Lions in Johannesburg - before the play-offs start on the weekend of October 17.

The news of Burger's injury-enforced lay-off coincides with the news that Province flyhalf Willem de Waal will undergo neck surgery and will be ruled out till next year. De Waal joins centre Morgan Newman and lock Adriaan Fondse as long-term injury losses - with All Black lock Chris Jack also having returned to New Zealand.

Bok lock Andries Bekker, who is recovering from a shoulder injury incurred in the Tri-Nations, will also miss Friday's trip to Potchefstroom.

Jean de Villiers is leaving for Munster later this week and won't feature in the Currie Cup this season either.

Breather for Januarie

Springbok scrumhalf Ricky Januarie, who returned home this week after his stint with the triumphant Springbok team, is also given a "breather" this week.

Burger and Januarie joined their provincial teammates at training on Tuesday in Bellville.

WP team doctor Ryan Kohler assessed Burger and reported that the flank's ribcage was still "swollen" and a more accurate assessment will be completed in the next fortnight.

Province coach Allister Coetzee explained that Januarie will not feature this weekend due to the short turn-around.

The only change to the side that lost 31-33 to the Free State Cheetahs last week sees De Kock Steenkamp replacing departed lock Chris Jack.

Hilton Lobberts comes onto the bench, as does Tiaan Liebenberg, who recently recovered from a knee injury. Utility back Conrad Hoffmann, who was expected to start at flyhalf, is also left amongst the replacements.

"We wanted to keep that continuity going," Coetzee said at the media conference on Tuesday.

"It's not like the Bulls or Sharks where they are getting 10 players back, so we have to keep going with what we have.

"The next three matches are going to be so crucial to nailing down a home semifinal. That said, we are going to Potch to win. The bonus point is exactly that a bonus."

No mass changes

The coach was adamant that mass changes at this stage of the competition would not benefit the team.

"Making a lot of changes at this stage can be disruptive. We are definitely looking to consolidate.

"If we can continue to build, then I don't think it matters who we play in the semifinals or how many Boks they have. There's still a hunger in this side to succeed."

The coach sent out the message he wouldn't take anything for granted, even though WP are in a favourable position – adding that reserves like Hoffmann still have a part to play, but for the time being the current side needs to play as much as possible.

"It took a while for the backline to click, and unfortunately we lost Morgan Newman recently. But Juan de Jongh is playing well next to Frikkie Welsh and we are attacking with plenty of confidence.

"If we can lay the platform up front it will allow the backline to attack. If that dynamic is functioning then we will have a crack."

365

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