Yet another clean bill of health for Province

For only the second time in three Currie Cup seasons, Western Province emerged unscathed from a match, and the team's medical staff issued a clean bill of health on Monday.

Province's radical change to their training regime and their playing patterns, which makes for more passing and less contact, seems to be paying dividends as the injury list has shrunk remarkably.

Players returning from injury are also taking much longer to break into the starting line-up in an attempt to ease them back into match-day duty.

Province coach Allister Coetzee was a pleased man when he was handed the usual Monday report.

"It is a big positive to have a clean bill of health. It is nice, in a short week like this one, to have minimal injuries," Coetzee said.

Scrumhalf Nic Groom (shoulder, SC joint) and hooker Stephan Coetzee (ankle, hip pointer) have both responded well to treatment and join training sessions this week.

Stephan Coetzee, however, may still need more recovery time and will undergo a fitness test on Tuesday.

"Groom is back to full fitness and will be considered for selection this week. Coetzee is making good progress and will undergo a fitness test before the team announcement," the Province coach said.

On Friday, Province will be in Nelspruit for a showdown against the unpredictable Pumas.

"They're 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, especially after slipping up in Johannesburg two weeks ago.

"We need to show the same kind of intensity and accuracy that we showed in the first half against Griquas, but also for 80-plus minutes."

Province currently lie in top position on the table, with 29 points six victories in seven games. The Pumas are in fourth position on 19 points with four victories.