Groom returns for Province

WP scrumhalf Nic Groom is fit and available for selection ahead of the match against the Pumas in Nelspruit on Friday.

Groom has missed the last two weeks with a shoulder injury after suffering a blow in the closing stages of the victory over the EP Kings.

He will compete with Louis Schreuder for the starting berth, having held down the role prior to his injury.

There were no new injury worries on Monday, although hooker Stephan Coetzee's ankle injury will continue to be monitored, before the team is announced on Tuesday.

'It’s a big positive to have a clean bill of health,' said coach Allister Coetzee. 'Nic is back for us and Stephan will undergo a fitness test [tomorrow], but it’s nice, in a short week like this one, to have minimal injuries.'

Province will head into the match on top of the Currie Cup log, although they are well aware that any slip up in Nelspruit will likely be seized upon by the second-placed Golden Lions, who travel to face Griquas this weekend.

'The Pumas are unbeaten at the Mbombela Stadium this season, so it will be a tough challenge for us but one we’re looking forward to,' said Coetzee. 'The challenge is to win away from home in the Currie Cup – especially after slipping up in Johannesburg two weeks ago – and we need to show the same kind of intensity and accuracy that we showed in the first half against Griquas, but for 80-plus minutes.'

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