DHL Western Province scored five tries to claim a 35-24 bonus-point win against the Cell C Sharks in Durban and book a Carling Currie Cup semifinal spot next week.
Starting the game in fifth place on the standings, DHL Western Province’s mission was clear at kick-off and they delivered in fine style, playing some great attacking rugby to secure a place in a semifinal against the Vodacom Bulls in Pretoria next week.
DHL Western Province showed real intent from the start and it was not long before they were in the opposition 22 where the forwards won a series of set-piece penalties. A quick tap from scrumhalf Paul de Wet put centre Dan du Plessis over for the opening try.
The Cell C Sharks got on the scoreboard with a penalty from fullback Curwin Bosch, but it was not long before Du Plessis had his second try, claiming his own grubber kick to score in the corner. The touchline conversion from flyhalf Tim Swiel gave the visitors a 14-3 advantage.
The home side came back with tries from wing Yaw Penxe and captain Phepsi Buthelezi and although DHL Western Province continued to create opportunities with their enterprising attacking play, it was the Cell C Sharks who took a 17-14 advantage into the half-time break.
DHL Western Province made a storming start to the second half and it was not long before they had the lead back, with De Wet diving over next to a ruck for the third try.
The home side took the lead back with Penxe’s second try, but DHL Western Province would have the final say with two late tries to seal the win.
The bonus point was secured by replacement hooker JJ Kotze who burst through to score and wing Edwill van der Merwe finished the game with an intercept try to book the semifinal against the Vodacom Bulls next week.
The scorers:
For DHL WP:
Tries: Du Plessis 2, De Wet, Kotze, Van der Merwe
Cons: Swiel 5
For Cell C Sharks:
Tries: Penxe 2, Buthelezi
Cons: Bosch 3
Pen: Bosch
DHL Western Province: 15 Sergeal Petersen, 14 Ruhan Nel, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Tim Swiel, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Marcel Theunissen, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Johan du Toit, 4 Ernst van Rhyn (captain), 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Andre-Hugo Venter, 1 Leon Lyons.
Replacements: 16 JJ Kotze, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Simon Miller, 20 Nama Xaba, 21 Godlen Masimla, 22 Rikus Pretorius, 23 Tristan Leyds.
Cell C Sharks: 15 Curwin Bosch, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Werner Kok, 12 Murray Koster, 11 Thaakir Abrahams, 10 Lionel Cronje, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi (captain), 7 Henco Venter, 6 James Venter, 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Le Roux Roets, 3 Khutha Mchunu, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu
Replacements: 16 Dan Jooste, 17 Khwezi Mona, 18 Lourens Adriaanse, 19 Reniel Hugo, 20 Thembelani Bholi, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Marius Louw, 23 Anthony Volmink.