Keeping the continuity is vital for Western Province and is why it seems Springbok scrumhalf Ricky Januarie will not be starting against Griquas at Newlands on Saturday.

Januarie returned from Australia and New Zealand last week but was not considered for the game against the Leopards in Potchefstroom. Now coach Allister Coetzee indicated that the diminutive number nine has to wait for a chance to start.

Dewald Duvenhage will again start against Griquas. Coetzee explained that he wants to phase Januarie in slowly in order not to upset the balance of the combination that did well thus far.

"Ricky's slotted in well since returning, but we have to keep going with the same side," Coetzee said in an inteview on the WP website.

"We've made the decision according to the needs of the team, as well as that of the player.

"I've had no communication or directive from the Bok management, but at this stage of the tournament we have to do what's right for us. I also want it to be a smooth transition for Ricky. I don't want to throw him straight back in and set him up to fail."

Joe Pietersen, who is in fine form this season, hooker Deon Fourie and wing Tonderai Chavhanga all missed Monday's training session, but Coetzee was confident that the former two would recover from slight niggles to face up to Griquas. Chavhanga's wife recently gave birth.

JC Kritzinger and Sireli Naqelevuki are also fit again after injuries and available for selection, with the latter likely to occupy a spot on the bench ahead of JJ Engelbrecht. The latter injured his ankle shortly before the Leopards game and is expected to be out for two weeks.

News from the WP camp is that Springbok flanker Schalk Burger's rib injury is responding well to treatment but he could only be back for WP's final league game against the Lions.