DHL WP moved into the semifinals of the 2013 Vodacom Cup competition after beating GWK Griquas 21-13 in their quarterfinal encounter at DHL Newlands on Saturday.

DHL WP coach John Dobson expected a massive physical onslaught from Griquas and that’s just what the defending champions got, the visitors throwing everything at their hosts in the opening exchanges.

This brave WP side absorbed the early hits and trailed 0-3 for most of the first half, Griquas No.10 Pieter-Steyn having put his team ahead with a penalty goal in the 10th minute.

Griquas scored shortly before half-time, through No.6 flank Marnus Schoeman, and WP were suddenly staring at a 10-0 deficit ahead of the break. One minute later, however, and Cheslin Kolbe skipped his way through the Griquas defence and notched his team’s opening score just two minutes before half-time.

Flyhalf Kurt Coleman slotted the conversion and then also added a penalty on the stroke of half-time to suddenly make it 10-10 at the break.

The second half got off to a flying start for the home side when Kolbe – who had been upended in a nasty tackle just before half-time – showed a clean pair of heels to score his second try in the space of a few minutes. Coleman missed the conversion but WP were in the lead for the first time – an advantage they never relinquished for the rest of the match.

Coleman kept the scoreboard ticking over for DHL WP, adding penalties in the 47th and 53rd minutes, before De Wet kicked his second penalty for Griquas in the 61st minute to leave the score at 21-13.

Both sides – more so WP – had some scoring chances in the final quarter, but the scoreboard remained unmoved in the last twenty minutes.

This victory, WP’s sixth in a row this season, means that Province will face the Golden Lions in next week’s semifinal in Johannesburg.

DHL Western Province coach John Dobson said afterwards: “Cheslin Kolbe was excellent and got us out of jail… but, despite being poor for most of the match, the guys all showed plenty of guts out there against a very physical Griquas team.

“We’ll certainly take the win, and a semifinal place, but we know next week will not be easy against a Lions side full of confidence and, crucially, playing at home.”

Dobson, meanwhile, reserved a special word of thanks for the DHL Newlands Faithful who gave their home side plenty of support on the day.

“The players were looking forward to playing at DHL Newlands all week and they appreciated all the support. Hopefully we can do the job away from home next week, knowing that would be able to rely on some home support should we make it into the final.”

The scorers:

For DHL Western Province:
Tries: Kolbe 2
Con: Coleman
Pens: Coleman 3

For GWK Griquas:
Try: Schoeman
Con: De Wet
Pens: De Wet 2