DHL Western Province won through to their fourth Absa Currie Cup Final in a row, thanks to a brilliant 23-18 win over the Vodacom Blue Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Friday evening.
DHL WP qualified for the play-offs by finishing third, just one place below the Bulls, but they played all the rugby in Pretoria by scoring both tries on the night.
Fullback Cheslin Kolbe scored a brilliant solo try, plucking the ball away from would-be Bulls defenders, before setting up replacement Jano Vermaak’s late effort – his quick thinking from his own kick ahead doing the business.
The scores were tied at 9-9 at half-time, with both flyhalves trading penalties, but the visitors’ greater attacking mindset and poacher-like abilities seeing them through in the end.
DHL WP, the 2012 and 2014 champions but under a new coaching team of John Dobson (head coach), Dawie Snyman (attack) and Paul Treu (defence), will face either the Golden Lions or the Cheetahs (who meet on Saturday afternoon) in next weekend’s final.
The scorers:
For the Vodacom Blue Bulls:
Pens: Schoeman 6
For DHL Western Province:
Tries: Kolbe, J Vermaak
Cons: Du Preez, Coleman
Pens: Du Preez 3
The teams:
Blue Bulls: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Travis Ismaiel, 13 Dries Swanepoel, 12 Burger Odendaal, 11 Jamba Ulengo, 10 Tian Schoeman, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Arno Botha, 7 Lappies Labuschagne (captain), 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Jacques du Plessis, 3 Marcel van der Merwe, 2 Bandise Maku, 1 Pierre Schoeman.
Replacements: 16 Corniel Els, 17 Werner Kruger, 18 RG Snyman, 19 Jason Jenkins, 20 Ivan van Zyl, 21 Louis Fouché, 22 William Small-Smith.
DHL Western Province: 15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Dillyn Leyds, 13 Johnny Kotze, 12 Juan de Jongh (captain), 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 6 Rynhardt Elstadt, 5 Ruan Botha, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Replacements: 16 Michael Willemse, 17 Oli Kebble, 18 Chris van Zyl, 19 Jurie van Vuuren, 20 Jano Vermaak, 21 Kurt Coleman, 22 Huw Jones.
Referee: Lesego ‘Pro’ Legoete
Assistant referees: Stuart Berry, Quinton Immelman
TMO: Christie du Preez
