CAPE TOWN – It’s all systems go for the former Springbok Women’s coach, Stanley Raubenheimer in his new home, at the Western Province Women’s side.
Raubenheimer was named the new Province coach after leaving his position in December last year.
With his new side and the start of the Women’s Premier Division tournament on Saturday, Raubenheimer’s charges were thrown in the deep end as they opened the campaign with the Sharks Women at Hamiltons Rugby Stadium in Cape Town.
It was a beautiful day in the Mother City with the town also set to host the United Rugby Championship quarter-final clash between the Stormers and the Bulls, just across the road from the Hamiltons venue.
The first few minutes of the game saw a scrappy sloppy match but it was the host who broke the deadlock through centre Chumisa Qawe.
Even though the visitors fought a good fight, and led at some stage of the game, Province had the last say as they went on to win the match 31-14.
Raubenheimer was the happy man but stressed that there is still more that needs to happen work-wise.
“I am pleased with the results, even though we didn’t have much time together to prepare. I am now coaching here, it doesn’t feel different because the game remains the same,” said Raubenheimer.
“The first game is always tough to coach, especially here because it’s actually the first time everyone is together after such a long period, an international period.
“I love the challenge here, coaching stays coaching it doesn’t matter where you coach. I will get better as time goes on, and I will get well with the players. And the still more tough games to come, on the road and some here at home. So yes, there’s still more hard work we need to put on.”
