Griquas dominate WP to win in style

The Windhoek Draught Griquas turned in a commanding second-half performance to beat DHL Western Province 39-28 in a thrilling Currie Cup performance in Kimberley on Friday afternoon.

The visitors led 19-14 at the break thanks to outscoring the home side by three tries to two. But the second half was one way traffic as the Griquas turned on the style.

The much-changed Western Province team took the lead in the fifth minute when flank Marcel Theunissen dotted down from the back of a driving maul.

Griquas, though, bounced back with a lineout try of their own as Dylan Sjoblom scored just three minutes later.

Scrumhalf Paul de Wet breezed through in the 11th minute following some good interplay on the left wing.

While the contest was even in terms of territory and possession, Western Province went well clear shortly before the break as Theunissen crashed over from short distance.

It wasn't the final play of the half as the in-form Jay-cee Nel managed to collect a kick in behind the defence to score in the 39th minute as the Griquas closed the gap to five points.

Griquas went ahead in the 45th minute after a stunning kick chase from flank Thabo Ndimande. Not only did he win the duel in the air but he offloaded to flyhalf Lubabalo Dobela who soared over the tryline. George Whitehead once again added the extras as the match intensity went up a few notches.

The visitors were denied on a several occasions in the phases that followed as the Griquas managed to defend two driving mauls, an attacking scrum where Hacjivah Dayimani failed to get his pass away and then finally turned the ball over thanks to some fierce work on the ground from Griquas scrumhalf Johan Mulder.

THRILLING LAST QUARTER

The match was set up for a thrilling last quarter as Willie Engelbrecht put Western Province back in front.

The home team moved quickly back into the opposing 22m and drew level in the 65th minute when Sean Swart benefitted from being at the back of a driving maul.

Whitehead knocked over the extras to help the Griquas lead 28-26.

Sango Xamlashe had barely been on the pitch when he diced through the Western Province defence to score a brilliant individual try that put Griquas nine points ahead with seven minutes to play.

Western Province opted to kick a penalty through the boot of Jurie Matthee with the clock running down.

Whitehead had the final say with his first penalty of the day as he took his kicking record to a perfect six from six.

It leaves Western Province with little chance of advancing to the semifinals this season.

Not going down without a fight ???? @GriquasRugby keep their #CurrieCup playoff hopes alive with another victory over @WP_RUGBY.#WhereLegendsRise pic.twitter.com/TpHHUgosxL

— The Currie Cup (@TheCurrieCup) June 2, 2023

SCORERS:

WINDHOEK DRAUGHT GRIQUAS:Tries - Dylan Sjoblom, Jay-Cee Nel, Lubabalo Dobela, Sean Swart and Sango Xamlashe. Conversions: George Whitehead (5). Penalty: George Whitehead.

DHL WESTERN PROVINCE:Tries - Marcel Theunissen (2), Paul de Wet and Willie Engelbrecht. Conversions: Jurie Matthee (3). Penalty: Jurie Matthee