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DHL WP hold off Border at City Park

PUBLISHED: April 29, 2017


DHL Western Province scored seven tries in their 50-34 SuperSport Rugby Challenge victory against the Border Bulldogs at City Park on Saturday.

DHL Western Province scored seven tries in their 50-34 SuperSport Rugby Challenge victory against the Border Bulldogs at City Park on Saturday.

Border scored four tries of their own in an entertaining encounter which was enjoyed by a lively crowd at City Park, but in the end DHL Western Province were too strong and picked up their second win of the campaign.

The home side were on the scoreboard early as inside centre Scott van Breda crossed for the opening try and Border were able to hit back with a penalty from flyhalf Oliver Zono.

Van Breda got over for his second try and the response from Border was another Zono penalty before the flyhalf crossed for their first try after intercepting a grubber from Grant Hermanus.

DHL Western Province regrouped and their forwards took the game to the opposition with a series of powerful drives. They were rewarded when lock Brenden Esterhuizen forced his way over from close range and they followed that up with a fourth try as outside centre Michal Hazner burst through following a couple of strong scrums in the Border 22.

The visitors would have the final say in the first half though as another swift counter-attack saw scrumhalf Bangihlombe Kobese dot down to limit the DHL Western Province lead to 26-20 at the break.

DHL Western Province struck first in the second half through skipper Chad Solomon who crashed over after a period of sustained pressure, however Border hit straight back as No.8 Sokuphumla Xakalashe got over to keep DHL Western Province’s lead to 33-27.

DHL Western Province responded with a try from flank Johan du Toit, but Border refused to go away and Zono got over for his second try to keep his side right in it with 20 minutes left to play.

Right wing Valentino Wellman was next to score for DHL Western Province before flyhalf Brandon Thomson kicked a penalty to bring up the half-century and seal the win.
The scorers:

For DHL WP:
Tries: Van Breda 2, Esterhuizen, Hazner, Solomon, Du Toit, Wellman
Cons: Thomson 5
Pen: Thomson

For Border Bulldogs:
Tries: Zono 2, Kobese, Xakalashe
Cons: Zono 4
Pens: Zono 2

DHL Western Province: 15 Grant Hermanus, 14 Valentino Wellman, 13 Michal Haznar, 12 Scott van Breda, 11 Khanyo Ngcukana, 10 Brandon Thomson, 9 Justin Phillips, 8 Conway Pretorius, 7 Johan du Toit, 6 Luke Stringer, 5 Brenden Esterhuizen, 4 Jurie van Vuuren, 3 Michael Kumburai, 2 Chad Solomon (captain), 1 Neil Oelofse.
Replacements: 16 Dean Muir, 17 Wesley Adonis, 18 Frans van Wyk, 19 Nyasha Tarusenga, 20 Eital Bredenkamp, 21 Godlen Masimla 22 Harlon Klaasen.

Border Bulldogs: 15 Sonwabiso Mqalo, 14 Michael Makase, 13 Lundi Ralarala, 12 Lunga Dumezweni, 11 Lelethu Gcilitshane, 10 Oliver Zono, 9 Bangihlombe Kobese, 8 Sokuphumla Xakalashe, 7 Johannes Janse van Rensburg, 6 Siya Mdaka (captain), 5 Hendri Storm, 4 Lindokuhle Welemu, 3 Luzuko Nyabaza, 2 Mihlali Mpafi, 1 Blake Kyd.
Replacements: 16 Siya Ngande, 17 Phumlani Blaauw, 18 Wandile Putuma, 19 Lukhanyo Nomzanga, 20 Sinovuyo Nyoka, 21 Ntabeni Dukisa, 22 Siposethu Tom.