True to form, the dreaded Monday medical has yielded more bad news for the Western Province Currie Cup squad.

Almost without fail in the past few months, Province coach Allister Coetzee has had to announce a list of injured players after a weekend match.

This time, loosehead prop Steven Kitshoff has been laid low with a hamstring problem and reserve scrumhalf Nic Groom has a knee injury.

"We [Province] have now reached a stage where there are 11 players in this squad that are out injured, and unavailable for selection," said Coetzee.

"It's becoming a headache and I'll have to start looking at local clubs for replacements.

"We've just lost Wicus Blaauw for the season and now another loosehead [Kitshoff] is out for a few weeks.

"Groom looked useful when he came on in the Bulls match and I was looking to use him again this week, but now he's out as well.

"I am also not sure if we'll have a flyhalf available this week, because [flyhalf] Isma-eel [Dollie] has a badly swollen ankle and he'll probably need a day or two off before we know if he can play on Saturday.

"The good news is that [flanker] Pieter Louw has started training, and should be ready in a week or so.

"Demetri Catrakilis [flyhalf] and [centre] Tim Whitehead should be available in two weeks' time, but for now the injury list just keeps growing."

Flyhalf Lionel Cronje has been playing club rugby after a long injury lay-off and will be in the frame for the No.10 slot against the Cheetahs at Newlands this week.

Despite the side's 28-20 defeat at Loftus over the weekend, Coetzee said there were several aspects of the game which were pleasing from a coach's point of view.

"We held our own in the set-pieces, and given that this is an inexperienced side, that is quite an achievement against the Bulls," he said.

"It was a strange game in some respects, for example, there were only nine scrums in the entire 80 minutes of play."

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