DHL Western Province recorded a memorable 29-18 Absa Currie Cup win over the Vodacom Blue Bulls in Pretoria on Saturday, cementing their place at the top of the log in the process.
In the absence of regular captain Deon Fourie, who was out with a rib injury, lock De Kock Steenkamp captained DHL Western Province to a memorable win – their fourth of the season – at Loftus Versfeld.
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It means that Province remain unbeaten in the 2013 Absa Currie Cup, with four victories and two draws, as they once again top the log (with 20 points) after yet another exciting weekend's action.
The win at Loftus was even more remarkable given that DHL WP were reduced to 14 men in the 34th minute of the first half, after flanker Michael Rhodes was red-carded for stomping. The Bulls were denied a losing bonus point from the game.
Province's tries were scored by fullback Gio Aplon and inside centre Damian de Allende, with flyhalf Kurt Coleman landing both conversions. Coleman also kicked three penalty goals, whilst replacement flyhalf Gary van Aswegen landed two late penalties to help secure the win.
No.8 Nizaam Carr walked off with the official Absa Currie Cup Man of the Match Award, but hooker Scarra Ntubeni, debutant Tazz Fuzani, captain Steenkamp, centre De Allende, winger Cheslin Kolbe and No.15 Aplon all contributed to a wonderful team effort on the night.
“I'm pleased with where we are. It was a big performance showing a lot of heart and guts,” DHL WP head coach Allister Coetzee told www.wprugby.com.
“We have had two draws and four wins, but this competition is far from over. It's so close, so we really have to make the most of the remaining games this season.”
Next up for DHL WP is GWK Griquas at home on Friday, September 20 (kick-off 19h10). This is followed by the Cheetahs away, the Lions at home and, finally, the Sharks away ahead of the semifinals in mid-October.
The scorers:
For the Vodacom Blue Bulls:
Tries: Ross, Bulbring
Con: Pollard
Pen: Pollard
DG: Pollard
For DHL Western Province:
Tries: Aplon, De Allende
Cons: Coleman 2
Pens: Coleman 3, Van Aswegen 2
The teams:
Blue Bulls: 15 Jürgen Visser, 14 Sampie Mastriet, 13 Waylon Murray, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Akona Ndungane, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Rudi Paige, 8 Jono Ross (captain), 7 Jacques du Plessis, 6 Wiaan Liebenberg, 5 Grant Hattingh, 4 Paul Willemse, 3 Frik Kirsten, 2 Mbongeni Mbonambi, 1 Marcel van der Merwe.
Replacements: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Dean Greyling, 18 David Bulbring, 19 Jacques Engelbrecht, 20 Lohan Jacobs, 21 William Small-Smith, 22 Clayton Blommetjies.
DHL Western Province: 15 Gio Aplon, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Cheslin Kolbe, 10 Kurt Coleman, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Michael Rhodes, 6 Rynhardt Elstadt, 5 De Kock Steenkamp (captain), 4 Tazz Fuzani, 3 Pat Cilliers, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Replacements: 16 Michael Willemse, 17 Brok Harris, 18 Gerbrandt Grobler, 19 Rohan Kitshoff, 20 Nic Groom, 21 Gary van Aswegen, 22 Michael van der Spuy.
Referee: Marius Jonker
