Western Province backline coach Robbie Fleck is excited by what he has seen at training from the next generation of stars who are finding their feet in the senior team.

Western Province have had their squad ravaged by mass Springbok call-ups and a host of injuries - much like the other big unions - and have been forced to lean on the young talent emerging from the Cape during this season's Currie cup campaign.

Fleck believes that through some exposure at senior level and as they grow in confidence the new-look team have the ability to turn some heads this season.

"It is exciting times and I've been really impressed with the youngsters over the last two weeks," Fleck told this website.

"Every game is going to have a bit of experimentation, and with new guys eager to learn and playing in the Currie Cup for the first time it's only a matter of time before everything falls into place."

The success story of the Varsity Cup competition is evident in Province's pool of talent, with a number of stars making the grade after spells with both Stellenbosch and UCT.

"It shows how great the Varsity Cup has been rugby, as we see guys who weren't picked up by Craven Week teams or at Under-21 level get a chance to showcase their skills and climb through the ranks to senior rugby," Fleck added.

The former Springbok centre finds is coaching almost completely new backline in the Currie Cup from the team that did duty during Super Rugby, and has yet another flyhalf running the show.

The flyhalf injury curse this season hasn't been broken after Gary van Aswegen left the field last weekend and joins the growing list of unavailable playmakers.

"It has been disruptive having injuries in crucial positions like at the halfbacks, who your team is built around, but we've adapted and are drawing from the positives the new youngsters bring with them," Fleck explained.

"It's unfortunate that Gary has picked up another injury and I thought we looked solid with him at 10, but I've been impressed by Demetri Catrakilis' attitude and he's a calm guy who plays a smart game.

"His organisational skills are really good the way he controls the game shows me that he knows what brand of rugby he wants to play and isn't afraid to put his best foot forward."

By Timmy Hancox