Smal: We can get better
Cape Town
October 30, 2000

Western Province coach Gert Smal was still beaming when he entered the arrival hall at Cape Town International airport on Sunday, but immediately admitted his team can still get better.

Province returned from the 25-15 Currie Cup final victory, their first since 1997, over the Sharks in Durban. Smal, who won the Cup as a player with the "Streeptruie" during their "golden era" in the 80s, confirmed his team has the potential to become the next dominant force in South African provincial rugby.

"We have incredible depth in terms of playing talent and we have already contracted most of the top guys for next year," he told a newspaper. "There are only three or four more guys whom we still need to tie up. Most of the guys are still fairly young."

Smal singled out special praise for captain Corne Krige, who led his team brilliantly throughout the season. "Corne plays and leads from the front. He says the right things at the right time and his composure was instrumental in the final. I've said it before, but he's the one guy that will remain standing while those around him fall down."

The coach said the victory was perhaps more special and rewarding than the two he experienced as a player. "As a coach, you take responsibility for all 15 guys out there. We had very little time to put everything together and I believe we can still get better.

"People say our game is based on idealism, but this is how I see the game and experience it. I played in a very successful era and there are certain characteristics that I would like to instill in the team. If you have the right attitude, your luck will come," he said.

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