Labeeb takes the lead

LABEEB Levy will take charge of the Western Province squad as head coach for the upcoming Currie Cup season and will be supported by a strong group of coaches.

The experienced Levy will have forwards coach Brok Harris, backline coach Dewaldt Duvenage, strength and conditioning coach Riefaat Jappie and technical consultant Brendan Venter as part of his team for the Carling Currie Cup campaign, which gets underway with a North-South clash against the Bulls at on July 26.

Director of Rugby John Dobson said of the appointments: “We often talk about a balance of youth and experience on the field and I think this coaching group has also got that.

“You have the likes of Labeeb and Brendan who are both established mentors and great rugby minds and then Brok and Dewaldt who are legends on the field and are taking their first major steps in a coaching capacity. Riefaat Jappie is our senior strength and conditioning coach and will provide good continuity in that regard.

“Last season was a tough one, but we achieved our aim of bringing through some talented young players, with eight of them going on to represent the Stormers.

“This season we have got a great group of hopefuls who will be primed to play the exciting brand of rugby that DHL Western Province is renowned for under the guidance of this strong coaching team,” he said.

Levy said that he is excited about working with this dynamic group.

“I have a strong personal relationship with each one of these men and I know that together we will be able to take this group of players forward to do justice to the blue and white hoops of DHL Western Province.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for coaches and players to prove their mettle and you can be sure that we will be putting in the hard work to ensure that we rise to the challenge this season,” he said.