DHL Western Province made it three from three in the 2015 Vodacom Cup with a hard-fought 19-13 win over the EP Kings in Port Elizabeth on Saturday evening.

DHL WP were trailing by 12-13 at the start of the final quarter, but scrumhalf Godlen Masimla scored a 68th minute try to maintain the 2012 champions’ unbeaten start in the South Section of the 2015 Vodacom Cup.

Earlier, four penalty goals by flyhalf Jean-Luc du Plessis had put DHL WP ahead by 12-5 at half-time, before the hosts – boasting a near-Super Rugby selection, as they prepare for a competition re-entry – clawed their way back into the game.

The Kings, however, were denied by a tenacious Province team that was forced into a late change when wing Mat Turner pulled up at Friday’s captain’s run with an ankle injury. Tshotsho Mbovane started on the left-wing, with JP Lewis joining the bench at the 11th hour.

Flyhalf Du Plessis had another productive day at the office for DHL WP, boasting a 100% goalkicking record for a match haul of 14 points – having scored 12 points in his team’s 32-12 win over the Sharks XV a fortnight ago.

The scorers:

For the EP Kings:
Tries: G Whitehead, Mahuza
Pen: G Whitehead

For DHL Western Province:
Try: Masimla
Con: J du Plessis
Pens: J du Plessis 4

The teams:

EP Kings: 15 Sylvian Mahuza, 14 Siyanda Grey, 13 Hansie Graaff, 12 Shane Gates (captain), 11 Siviwe Soyizwapi, 10 George Whitehead, 9 Jaco Grobler, 8 Tim Agaba, 7 Thembelani Bholi, 6 Paul Schoeman, 5 Cameron Lindsay, 4 Mthetheleli Fuzani, 3 Charles Marais, 2 Martin Ferreira, 1 Lizo Gqoboka.
Replacements: 16 Edgar Marutlulle, 17 Simon Kerrod, 18 David Bulbring, 19 Stefan Willemse, 20 Kevin Luiters, 21 Tim Whitehead, 22 Scott van Breda.

DHL Western Province: 15 Grant Hermanus, 14 Willy Ambaka, 13 Kyle Lombard, 12 Robert du Preez, 11 Tshotsho Mbovane, 10 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 9 Godlen Masimla, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Jurie van Vuuren, 6 Jacques Vermeulen, 5 Chris van Zyl, 4 Jan de Klerk, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Michael Willemse (captain), 1 Sti Sithole.
Replacements: 16 Neil Rautenbach, 17 Deacon Chowles, 18 Luke van der Smit, 19 Rayn Smid, 20 SP Ferreira, 21 JP Lewis, 22 Lihleli Xoli.

Referee: Stephan Geldenhuys
Assistant referees: Sindile Ngcese, Local