DHL Western Province overturned a 13-19 half-time deficit to record a 29-22 Absa Currie Cup win over the Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

In the process, DHL WP moved to the top of the Absa Currie Cup log – a fantastic achievement given their huge injury list and national call-ups this season and given that they were fifth on the log before last week’s win over the Blue Bulls.

The match began on a high for DHL WP as fullback Gio Aplon ran in an early try from a clever kick-ahead – after just two minutes of play. But the home side fought back to take the lead into half-time after a try by Sarel Pretorius and a string of Nico Scheeper penalties.

But WP, despite also losing captain Deon Fourie and fellow flanker Rynhardt Elstadt to the blood bin in the first half, came out strongly in the second half as flyhalf Demetri Catrakilis kept them in the game with his boot.

Catrakilis then showed his versatility by stabbing a clever kick-ahead for Absa Currie Cup Man of the Match Marcel Brache who ran in a great try in the 67th minute.

“We didn’t start the season well but the guys have shown great strength to win two games in a row and move to the top of the log,” said captain Fourie afterwards.

“Next week (in Durban) will be tough too but we’ll keep on working hard,” he added.

The scorers:

For the Toyota Free State Cheetahs:
Try: Pretorius
Con: Scheepers

Pens: Scheepers 5

For DHL Western Province:
Tries: Aplon, Brache
Cons: Catrakilis 2
Pens: Catrakilis 5