One hundred and eight days and counting, that's the period Fijian wing Sireli Naqelevuki has been absent from Cape rugby with his latest AWOL episode, sending senior professional coach Rassie Erasmus off to Polynesia to fetch the walkabout winger.

Just in time too. If Naqelevuki does arrive back in Cape Town this week, as Western Province are now stating, he won't be up to speed to play against the Bulls at Loftus in the critical Currie Cup clash this weekend.

Depending on his state of fitness, which has yet to be evaluated, the earliest that the Fijian would be able to wear the blue and white jersey would be against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein next weekend.

But by that stage, depending on Friday night's result, where victory would secure a stay of execution for WP, Province's Currie Cup might already have run its course.

Just what a player like Joe Pietersen, a loyal and devoted squad member for several seasons now, who never misses a training session, makes of Naqelevuki's latest disappearance is anyone's guess.

You can bet that a tough, disciplined football manager in the mould of Sir Alex Ferguson wouldn't have tolerated anything close to the contempt that Naqelevuki has shown for WP and the blue and white jersey.

It's been 41 days since Naqelevuki last played rugby, for Fiji, and after several suggestions that was on the plane and arriving in the city, he failed to show.

On one occasion, Currie Cup coach Allister Coetzee and team manager Chippy Solomons even went to the airport to meet him.

Naqelevuki's excuse, as was the case on a previous disappearance, is family problems that had to be sorted out in Fiji.

It seems incredulous that Naqelevuki can treat his employers and the WP jersey with such contempt and escape with only a slap on the wrist.

The reality is that Province desperately needed the Fijian in the first half of the campaign and, it seems, will now only be able to select him for minor home games against the likes of Griquas and the Valke.

Province will, nevertheless, be heartened by the news that the Bulls will be without the injured Zane Kirchner and lock Francois van Schouwenberg for Friday's match.

WP, though, have welcomed back loosehead prop Schalk Ferreira from injury.

Wonderboy Nic Koster, however, was unable to train with the squad yesterday as he was suffering from stiffness in the back.

The 20-year-old is, however, expected to be fit for selection for Friday's game.

Meanwhile, leading Currie Cup try-scorer John Daniels could boost the Boland Cavaliers against the Sharks at Wellington on Friday afternoon (kick off 4pm).

Boland coach Deon Davids confirmed that Daniels has recovered from a niggling leg injury that kept him out of the Boland v Valke match recently.

"Yes, John is well and available," Davids said.

Daniels back in the No 14 jersey is one of a few options Davids has for the Sharks.

Centre and captain Piet van Zyl, who left the field early against the Valke with concussion, is also available for selection after passing a fitness test yesterday.

Another is promising young centre Deon Scholtz, who sustained a chest injury against Western Province at Newlands a few weeks ago.

He is also ready to regain his place in the side.

Up front Davids will have a close look at his prop and lock options before he announces his side.

It will come as no surprise if former Blue Bull Andries Human returns to the side.

He was absent for about a month due to illness.

Fijilive

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