DHL Western Province’s hopes of hosting a home semifinal in the 2015 Absa Currie Cup were dashed on Friday night, when they went down by 32-62 to the unbeaten Xerox Golden Lions in Johannesburg.

The hosts, who now look set to host the Absa Currie Cup Final for the first time since 2011, were quick out of the starting blocks as they ran into a 29-6 lead after just 31 minutes.

Although DHL Western Province hit back with two tries in the latter stages of the first half, through impressive performers Sikhumbuzo Notshe and Johnny Kotze, the Lions managed one more five-pointer before the break to go into half-time at 36-20 up.

Any hopes of a fast start by the visitors – who started the second half without skipper Juan de Jongh (as was the plan all week) – was dashed when Lions fullback Andries Coetzee and winger Anthony Volmink both went over in the first 12 minutes after the break to extend their lead at a crucial stage of the contest.

As is typical of this Province team, however, the visitors did not give up for one second – despite being guilty of some simple errors on both attack and defence. They eventually finished the match with tries by Notshe (his second) and Nic Groom to seal a four-try bonus point in a losing cause.

Earlier in the day, meanwhile, the DHL WP Under-19 and Under-21 teams both recorded valuable wins in their respective competitions, with talented lock JD Schickerling making his return to action from a career- and life-threatening neck injury.

DHL Western Province will host the EP Kings at DHL Newlands next Friday (kick-off 18h00), with match tickets priced at just R20 (standing) and R30-50 for seating. (VISIT OUR TICKETING PAGE HERE!)

The scorers:

For the Xerox Golden Lions:
Tries: Erasmus, Marx, Boshoff, Mostert, Mnisi, Coetzee, Volmink, Smith, Hanekom
Cons: Boshoff 5, Van der Walt 2
Pen: Boshoff

For DHL Western Province:
Tries: Notshe 2, Kotze, Groom
Cons: Du Preez 3
Pens: Du Preez 2

The teams:

Golden Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Courtnall Skosan, 13 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 12 Howard Mnisi, 11 Anthony Volmink, 10 Marnitz Boshoff, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Stephan de Witt, 6 Jaco Kriel (captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Lourens Erasmus, 3 Julian Redelinghuys, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Dylan Smith.
Replacements: 16 Jacques van Rooyen, 17 Ruan Dreyer, 18 Fabian Booysen, 19 Kwagga Smith, 20 Jaco van der Walt, 21 Stokkies Hanekom, 22 Sampie Mastriet.

DHL Western Province: 15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 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 Chris Cloete, 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 Godlen Masimla, 21 Kurt Coleman, 22 Huw Jones.

Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen

Assistant referees: Jason Jaftha, Lourens van der Merwe
TMO: Johan Greeff