Western Province learn valuable lessons in London

Western Province coach Allister Coetzee says the experience gained on and off the field in London would hold them in good stead next year season.

Fresh from their Currie Cup triumph, Province suffered a 46-22 defeat against English Premiership outfit Saracens, in London on Sunday.

"Nobody likes losing, but I really think this trip was a worthwhile experience for all of us, both on and off the field," Coetzee said.

"It wasn't an ideal result, but it was a great occasion for the players to represent Western Province in London."

Coetzee believed the final scoreline could have been closer had Province not conceded errors at crucial times in the game.

"We played well in patches, but we made a few mistakes at key stages of the match and Saracens punished those silly errors.

"The players would have seen how our errors were exploited, and that was a big lesson for us. I thought there were plenty of positives, like our scrum, but it just wasn't to be in the end."

Several of Province's new recruits served notice as serious contenders for inclusion in the Stormers' squad.

Hooker Bongi Mbonambi and props Vincent Koch and Wilco Louw produced rousing performances and appeared to fit in well with the union's playing pattern.

"I thought all the new guys stood up well," Coetzee said.

"It was important for them to get a taste of playing for this team in what was a unique game in new conditions, both weather-wise in the lead-up and playing on an artificial playing surface."

Some members of the Province contingent will attend a sports conference in London over the next few days.

"The majority of us will be flying home on Monday, but some of the players will be staying on and some of the coaches will be attending a leading sports conference in London.

"The players have two weeks off before we turn our attention to the Stormers' pre-season training, which starts on Monday, November 24."

Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall singled out his wingers Chris Ashton and David Strettle for praise after both crossed for a pair of tries in the match.

"I think their form is exceptional and they've carried that on from last season. Week-in-week-out they deliver and they perform. Not only do they play well they score tries," McCall said.

McCall said he was impressed with the way Province started the match

"It was a good performance against a very good Western Province team.

"They came out of the blocks pretty quickly and in the first 10 minutes we were under the pump in our own 22.

"We defended well in that period of time and we scored some really good tries and played some really good rugby."