Defending champions DHL Western Province progressed to a second successive Vodacom Cup semifinal at the weekend. Another high in a long list of positive results over the past three seasons for this team.
DHL Western Province?beat GWK Griquas 21-13 in a hard-fought quarterfinal encounter at DHL Newlands on Saturday, keeping alive their hopes of successfully defending their Vodacom Cup title in the process.
This weekend, however, Province will head to Johannesburg to take on the MTN Golden Lions, a team boasting significant Super Rugby and Currie Cup experience, in a massive semifinal match – with a place in the final up for grabs.
Not only will WP be pushing to emulate last season’s success of winning a first-ever Vodacom Cup title, but they also have a very proud record to protect under the coaching of John Dobson.
Under the Dobson-led coaching staff, WP have lost just one regular league match and one knock-out game in three seasons – along with reaching a host of other landmarks since 2011.
We take a look at some of those achievements/landmarks:
– Under the current coaching staff – John Dobson, Labeeb Levy and Dawie Snyman – the WP Vodacom Cup team have lost just two games in three seasons; once in 2011 (quarterfinal v the Sharks XV) and earlier this season (league game v the Sharks XV at City Park).
– Just three players from the 2012 Vodacom Cup Final winning team started in WP’s quarterfinal win over Griquas. They were Rohan Kitshoff, Kurt Coleman and Marcel Brache. A further two players, Wilhelm van der Sluys and Berton Klaasen, were on the bench in last year’s final.
– 17 members of last year’s final squad (of 24) have since gone on to play Super Rugby and/or Currie Cup rugby for the Stormers and/or WP.
– Ten members of the WP matchday 22 against Griquas are still eligible for the WP Under-21 team this season – whilst hooker Michael Willemse, flank Sikhumbuzo Notshe, flyhalf Tim Swiel and fullback Cheslin Kolbe are all still Under-20. On average, WP are the youngest team in the 2013 Vodacom Cup competition. (Willemse and Kolbe are currently part of the SA Under-20 squad.)
– Western Province have always been known for their diversity within the union. Nine players of colour formed part of the same matchday squad against Griquas.
– Taz Fuzani, Chris Heiberg, Tjoppie Ferreira, Willemse, Graham Knoop – all of whom played against Griquas – have all come through the club ranks and played for Province this season; thanks to Jerome Paarwater’s club scouting programme. Carel du Preez, Dylan Rogers, Ryan Olivier, Jody Reyneke and Chevandre van Schoor are other club players who have played for DHL WP this season.
* The DHL WP team, to take on the Lions on Saturday at Ellis Park (kick-off 14h15), will be announced on Thursday.
**?CLICK HERE for more Vodacom Cup semifinal information!