Coach Allister Coetzee is still undecided about where the tough-as-nails AJ Venter will play for Western Province in the upcoming Currie Cup season.

The 25-times capped Springbok, who has been used both as a flank and lock during his international career, was a surprise signing from the Sharks for the 'Streeptruie' at the end of the Super 14 season, and was formally introduced to the Cape Town media on Tuesday, after he trained with WP at their Durbanville base.

"AJ can be used as a lock or flank, and even now he is good enough to play in either position at international level," said Coetzee, WP's new Currie Cup coach.

"He brings a wealth of experience to this squad, and he'll be a great help to the younger players.

"We'll also be looking to AJ to play a leadership role."

Venter said he had discussed the matter with Coetzee.

"I'm not as fast as some of the younger players," said Venter, who retired from international duty last year.

"What matters is that I play where it will benefit the team. I can play flank, lock or eighthman."

The chances are that Venter will make his WP debut against his former province, in Durban, where the season opens on Friday, June 20.

Venter said he had thought about that possibility. "Look, I have no bad feelings about the Sharks," said Venter.

"There will probably be a few boos when I run on. But when the whistle goes it will be 'game on'.

"I'm not going to have a problem fitting in with the Province pattern because the structures are similar to that at the Sharks.

"There are a lot of talented players in this Province squad, which have great coaches at their disposal."

Venter said he was hoping to win a trophy with his new province because he has not tasted much success in his career.

"The Venter household doesn't have much to show by way of silverware," said Venter. "In 1999 I was at the Lions when they won the Currie Cup, and then I was in the 2004 Springbok squad that won the Tri-Nations.

"So winning the Currie Cup with Province will be great so that I can enjoy another championship in my career."

WP's other signing flyhalf Willem De Waal, who has been playing for French Second Division club Narbonne, failed to arrive for training on Tuesday.

"Willem [De Waal] will join us for training on Wednesday morning," said Coetzee. "He is flying in from France and we understand that his flight was delayed and he'll be landing later today [Tuesday]."

On Tuesday, Coetzee announced a 30-man training squad, which will attend a three-day camp in Somerset West, starting on Wednesday.

WP have several players, 18 in all, on duty with the Springboks, Emerging Springboks and the Baby Boks (SA Under-20). The latter two teams will finish their assignments within the next week, and the Boks round off their Tri-Nations campaign at the end of August.

Province could then be at full strength at the start of September.

Province played their second warm-up match last Saturday against a Namibian XV in Windhoek, where they subjected to a "terribly" physical encounter. Coetzee said the WP players felt "sore" after the match, which they won 45-6 after Province ran in seven tries.

AFP