DHL Western Province deservedly beat the Cell C Sharks 28-21 at the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch on Friday evening to effectively snuff out the visitors’ playoff hopes in the Carling Currie Cup.
The Sharks scored three tries and finished with one bonus point for being within seven points of the victors, but although they are equal on points with the fourth-placed Airlink Pumas, the latter have a huge points difference advantage and will have to suffer a massive defeat by the Windhoek Lager Griquas to relinquish their playoff position.
The Sharks travelled to Stellenbosch with a beefed up squad that included six players who played in their losing URC quarterfinal against the Vodacom Bulls the previous week.
The DHL Western Province put on a solid display at the Danie Craven Stadium to secure a 28-21 victory over the Cell C Sharks ???#CarlingCurrieCup pic.twitter.com/sIuP0Rtm4e
— SuperSport ?? (@SuperSportTV) June 10, 2022
In the opening quarter the Sharks enjoyed plenty of possession and territory, but despite some brisk phase-play they lacked penetration in the face of some determined Western Province defence.
Gradually, Western Province came into the match and they showed more penetration with some fine link-up play as they threatened the Sharks’ line on a number of occasions.
The match was scoreless after the first quarter but Province were looking increasingly dangerous and Cornel Smit put the home team ahead in the 25th minute with a penalty.
Confidence was now flowing through the ranks of the young home team and it was no surprise when retreaded flyhalf Tristan Leyds, who enjoyed an excellent match at pivot, grubbered neatly through after a scrum on the Sharks’ five-metre line for fullback Sergeal Petersen – later awarded the player of the match prize – to run through and dot down.
Smit failed with the conversion but was right on the mark five minutes later when right-wing Ebernezar Tshimanga, who showed pace and power aplenty on a number of occasions, engineered a superb counter-attack down the right that resulted in scrumhalf Thomas Bursey picking up the loose ball and diving over.
WP DOMINATE FINAL 10 MINUTES
The Sharks continued to enjoy a slight edge in possession but did little with it as they bashed it up with little imagination, making Province’s defensive duties that much easier.
At the break, they had barely threatened a try and Boeta Chamberlain took over at flyhalf from Curwin Bosch.
The Sharks made a number of changes in the pack at the break and they began the second half with renewed energy and purpose, scoring two tries in the first 13 minutes.
The first was predictable enough, with Sikhumbuzo Notshe finally finishing off a succession of forward drives, but the second showed enterprise on attack as Marnus Potgieter dashed down the right wing and Le Roux Roets ran a good line when he received the ball from the ensuing ruck.
Chamberlain converted both touchdowns and the gap was just one point.
Back came Western Province, however, with winger Bobby Alexander touching down a kick ahead. Smit duly converted.
The Sharks fired back when Potgieter received a fast, flat pass from replacement scrumhalf Bradley Davids to squeeze over in the right corner. Chamberlain’s conversion from the right touchline once again reduced the deficit to one point.
To their credit, Western Province rebounded from this setback by dominating the final 10 minutes and Smit kicked two penalties, the final one on the hooter, to give Province a deserved win.
Sharks’ fullback Anthony Volmink was stretchered off the field in the last minute after a collision with a Western Province player.
Scorers:
Western Province: 28 (15) – Tries:Sergeal Petersen, Thomas Bursey, Bobby Alexander. Conversions:Cornel Smit (2). Penalties:Smit (3).
Cell C Sharks: 21 (0) – Tries:Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Le Roux Roets, Marnus Potgieter. Conversions:Boeta Chamberlain (3).