Bok lock Andries Bekker says the fact that Western Province haven't welcomed back a string of Springboks ahead of the Currie Cup play-offs could be an unexpected good omen as the competition reaches its climax.

Bekker makes a welcome return to the Province team to face Boland this weekend after recovering from a shoulder ailment sustained in the Tri-Nations over a month ago. WP's other Bok, scrumhalf Ricky Januarie, will get his first start this week, but star flank Schalk Burger is still injured and centre Jean de Villiers is no longer on Province's books.

In contrast, the Sharks and Bulls have a host of internationals that returned to domestic duty over the past fortnight and by this weekend the bulk of the Tri-Nations-winning side would feature in the Currie Cup for their respective provinces.

Other teams in the play-off bubble that have been minimally or not affected by the return of Boks are the Free State Cheetahs, Griquas and Lions.

The Sharks and Bulls called up most of their big guns last weekend, but both teams recorded unconvincing wins against the Leopards and Cheetahs respectively, while WP comprehensively beat Griquas in tricky conditions.

Western Province failed to reach the semis in 2008 and coach Allister Coetzee attributed the loss of the 13 Boks as one of the key contributors to last year's failure.

Therefore, Bekker believes not tampering too much with the side this season, has allowed WP to build a lot of momentum heading into the final stages of the competition. Coetzee has made eight changes for this week's clash, but most of his frontline stars have been given a break and he will be able to re-assemble a more familiar-looking side for the playoffs.

"Western Province have been playing good rugby the whole year and there hasn't been a lot of players that have come back that could break the rhythm of the side," Bekker told this website during the build-up to Saturday's Cape derby.

"The young guys that have come through this season has gained a lot of confidence by playing week in and week out ahead of the semifinals. When I came back a few weeks ago everybody was happy. There wasn't an air about them thinking that they're the best in the world so it was very easy for me to slot in."

After spending a frustrating five weeks on the sidelines Bekker says that he is looking forward to sharpening his match fitness before the all-important playoff phase and he is confident that the Cape side can secure that elusive Currie Cup trophy.

"I'm just happy to be ready to play again. And to come back with two games remaining before the semis is good to get some match fitness," he said.

"To come into a team that is playing well is really nice and it would mean a lot to me to win the Currie Cup with WP. I think it's the best chance in a long time that we've had to win the Currie Cup and the chances are good that we can do it this year."

While he doesn't have the luxury of a surplus of returning Boks, Coetzee says that Bekker's influence over the past few weeks, particularly after Kiwi lock Chris Jack's departure, has been invaluable.

"Andries has been with us for the past few weeks and taking part in our session so it's really good to have him back."

"The Boks bring a lot of confidence to the side. But they also come into a side that's playing with a lot of confidence and that are on the up."

Bio:
Full name: Andries
Surname: Bekker
Height: 208cm
Weight: 121kg
Birth date: 5 December 1983
Birth city: Goodwood, Cape Town
Primary school: Mikro Primary
Secondary school: Paul Roos Gymansium
Tertiary education: University of South Africa
Position: Lock
Club: Parow NTK RFC
Province: Western Province (2008)
Springbok number: 795
Test debut: 7 June 2008 v Wales in Bloemfontein, aged 24
Last Test: 29 August 2009 v Australia in Perth, aged 25
Total Tests: 18
Tours: British Isles, 2008
Super 14 Player of the Year nominee, 2008
Tallest player ever to play for South Africa
Son of Springbok Hennie Bekker

Squads: South Africa (2008 to 2009), South Africa (British & Irish Lions Tour - 2009), South Africa Under-21 (2003 to 2004), Stormers (Super 14 - 2005 to 2009), Western Province (Currie Cup - 2004 to 2009).