WP pivotless as Olivier flees

Bye-bye WP: Naas Olivier has joined Griquas

The fly-half crisis in Western Province has grown even worse with the news that Naas Olivier has left Cape Town to join the Griquas on a two-year deal.

Olivier, who returned from French club Auch in June, will make his debut for the injury-ravaged Griquas in their Currie Cup match against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Friday.

While Olivier's signature is a major coup for the Kimberley side, the move leaves WP without a single recognised fly-half.

With Springboks fly-half Peter Grant and recent import Willem De Waal both sidelined for the rest of the Currie Cup with shoulder and hip injuries respectively, and Isma-eel Dollie and Ricardo Croy on loan to Boland and South Western Districts Eagles, the Streeptruie have been left high and dry for their clash with Sharks on Friday.

Untested utility back Joe Pietersen will in the number ten jersey at Newlands while U21 player Matthew Rosslee will sit on the bench. Pietersen, who normally plays on the wing or at full-back will have a baptism of fire against French international Fred Michalak.

"Joe was our back-up to Peter Grant in the Super 14, and has the boot and the core skills to do well at fly-half," explained WP coach Allister Coetzee.

"He's in form and he has the confidence to do well against the Sharks."

Back in Kimberley the locals will be cheering the Cape Town brains trust's decision to let Olivier, who was contracted to WP till the end of the year, go.

Griquas coach Dawie Theron's injury headaches have not ceased all season and with regular fly-half Tobie Botes out with flu, Olivier's arrival could not have come at a better time.