"WP Can Win Currie Cup" - Paulse

Vodacom Western Province have what it takes to be Currie Cup champions this year. That's according to former winger Breyton Paulse who was one of the Province's most prolific try scorers.

Province ran the Valke ragged at Newlands at the weekend and eventually ran out 92 - 15 winners. Springbok lock Andries Bekker scored five tries, the most ever by a lock in the Currie Cup. He now moves up to second on the list of try-scorers in this year's competition.

Province are currently fifth on the log and need to beat the Boland Kavaliers, Griquas and the Lions with a bonus point to stand a chance of qualifying for the playoffs. Anything less will see them drop out of the running. Province are now breathing down the necks of the fourth-placed Free State Cheetahs who have lost their last two matches and who face a tough test against the Blue Bulls at Vodacom Park this weekend. The men from the Cape could even end as high as third if the Lion! s slip up over the next three weeks. So indeed, all to play for the star-studded WP side.

Paulse says he has reason to believe Province can go all the way if they keep playing the way they are: "Things are looking really positive all of a sudden and I've got no doubt Province can definitely do it if they pick up bonus points in their remaining games.

"They've got a bit of an easier route (to the semi-finals) which counts in their favour."

Paulse says the Cheetahs are a vulnerable team at the moment coming off those back to back losses and feels the team morale could be low. He's also been critical of coach Naka Drotske's selections, playing Kabamba Floors (who's a loose forward) on the wing and natural scrumhalf Tewis de Bruyn at flyhalf.

"Especially when you play guys out of position, you always have the risk of whether or not the gamble will come off."

Province's big win over the Valke on Saturday leaves them with! a better points difference than the Cheetahs (73 to 61) and i! f the si des are level on points at the end of the round-robin stage, Province go through on points difference.