Western Province coach Allister Coetzee says an improvement at the breakdown is required if they're to improve their attack. BRENTON CHELIN reports.

Three matches, three wins. Western Province sit atop the Currie Cup table after the first round of matches in Section X. Their latest, a 27-14 win against the Golden Lions, came despite long periods of the match spent without the ball.

Having scored two tries in the opening 16 minutes of the game, they can feel aggrieved not to have picked up the valuable four-try bonus point. While their ability to transition from defence to attack has been highly effective, they have struggled for continuity at phase-play.

'We're not happy with our structured attack at the moment,' admits Coetzee. 'We need to start building the phases, either to come away with a penalty or to score a try.

'We coughed up 19 turnovers against the Lions, which is not good enough.'

Coetzee spoke of the need to improve their work at the breakdown, where they've struggled for accuracy. Body position and placing the ball at the rucks are two areas of concern for Coetzee and his coaching team.

One area that pleased Coetzee against the Lions was their discipline.

'We conceded 18 penalties against the Blue Bulls and only eight on Saturday, and nothing for offside,' proclaimed Coetzee.

Meanwhile, Scarra Ntubeni is nearing a return to fitness and while he won't be ready for this weekend's game with the Bulls, he should be fit to face the EP Kings at Newlands in a fortnight.

The only injury concern is centre Michael van der Spuy, who is suffering with a hamstring strain.

Coetzee is confident he has the players to cover should Van der Spuy not recover in time, with Pat Howard and Jaco Taute lining up as possible replacements.

Photo: Carl Fourie/Gallo Images