DHL Western Province Head Coach John Dobson highlighted his team’s character as a key factor in their unbeaten run in the Currie Cup this season.
The defending champions beat the Cell C Sharks 50-28 at DHL Newlands on Saturday, to head into the final round of the league phase of the competition as the only unbeaten team with five wins from five games.
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That result saw them secure a home semifinal, with just two log points required in their match against Vodacom Blue Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, October 13 to seal top spot heading into the play-offs.
While they scored seven tries in the end against the Cell C Sharks, Dobson was encouraged by the character they showed to close the game out in the second half.
“It was a very good Sharks side with lots of Test experience, so for us to score 50 points against them is pretty special.
“The way we clawed our way back to score three tries like that speaks volume for our character,” he said.
Although he was happy with the win, Dobson believes that his side can still improve as the season progresses.
“There are three or four things that we can obviously fix and get better, which gives me much excitement because we are coming off 50 point wins every week.
“There are just a few technical things and if we get those right then we will really be a good side,” he said.
DHL Western Province captain Chris van Zyl pinpointed a lack of discipline as the biggest issue for his side.
“Discipline let us down, our goal was less than eight penalties in the match and we had nine in the first half,” he said.
Dobson was pleased with his team’s ability to put the opposition under pressure through their tempo and the commitment they showed on defence.
“What I am so chuffed about is the way this team scores so many points so quickly, which takes a lot of energy.
“I was really happy with the way we pushed the tempo, at one stage in the first half the Sharks were hanging their heads, that is why it was such a pity about the discipline.
“One thing we have had all season, which shows the character of the team, is that our scramble defence has been brilliant. There were probably one or two small detail things where we could have been better in our defence,” he added.