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DHL WP end on a high in Stellenbosch

PUBLISHED: June 10, 2022


DHL Western Province ended their Carling Currie Cup campaign with a hard-fought 28-21 win against the Cell C Sharks in Stellenbosch.

After a frsutrating season which saw them miss out on the play-offs, the DHL Western Province players showed how much the blue and white jersey means to them in a spirited display against a strong Cell C Sharks side.

The opening exchanges were tense, with both defences standing up well.

The first points came from the boot of DHL Western Province centre Cornel Smit who slotted a penalty after a period of pressure from his team.

The home side were looking dangerous on the counter-attack, but the first try came from a patient build-up, with Sergeal Petersen getting on the end of a Tristan Leyds grubber to score.

They followed that up with a second soon afterwards, with scrumhalf Thomas Bursey nipping around a ruck in the 22 to go over.

That saw DHL Western Province take a 15-0 lead into the half-time break, having made the most of their opportunities.

The visitors get on the scoreboard early in the second half with Sikhumbuzo Notshe forcing his way over next to the poles before lock Le Roux Roets went through to bring them within one point.

DHL Western Province hit back with their third, with Petersen instrumental again as his grubber saw replacement scrumhalf Bobby Alexander dot down.

The see-saw battle continued with Cell C Sharks wing Marnus Potgieter scoring in the corner to bring them back within a point.

Another Smit penalty gave the home side a bit more breathing space heading into the last 10 minutes and added another after the hooter to seal the win.

The scorers:

For DHL WP:
Tries:
Petersen, Bursey, Alexander
Cons: Smit 2
Pens: Smit 3

For Cell C Sharks:
Tries:
Notshe, Roets, Potgieter
Cons: Chamberlain 3

DHL Western Province: 15 Sergeal Petersen, 14 Ebenezer Tshimanga, 13 Cornel Smit, 12 Juan de Jongh (captain), 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Tristan Leyds, 9 Thomas Bursey, 8 Keke Morabe, 7 Marcel Theunissen, 6 Shaine Orderson, 5 Ben-Jason Dixon, 4 Simon Miller, 3 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 2 Jacques van Zyl, 1 Ali Vermaak.
Replacements: 16 HP van Schoor, 17 Kwenzo Blose, 18 Leon Lyons, 19 Hilton Lobberts, 20 Jarrod Taylor, 21 Bobby Alexander, 22 Jonathan Roche, 23 Mnombo Zwelendaba.

Cell C Sharks: Anthony Volmink, Marnus Potgieter, Jeremy Ward (captain), Murray Koster, Werner Kok, Curwin Bosch, Cameron Wright, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Jeandre Kruger, Celimpilo Gumede, Hyron Andrews, Le Roux Roets, Khutha Mchunu, Kerron van Vuuren, Dian Bleuler. Replacements: Dan Jooste, Khwezi Mona, Wiehahn Herbst, Reniel Hugo, OJ Noa, Bradley Davids, Boeta Chamberlain, Ben Tapuai.