DHL WP coach John Dobson was pleased with his team’s quarterfinal win over GWK Griquas on Saturday, but he knows they need to show a big improvement if they are to qualify for the final.
Western Province – the defending champions – beat Griquas 21-13 in a physical quarterfinal clash at DHL Newlands, that after the teams went into half-time with the scores tied at 10-all.
Said Dobson: “I was obviously pleased with the win, but disappointed with a few elements of our performance… and, of course, heartened by some.
“I thought at stages we defended well and at others we gave them too much momentum. What little ball we got in the first half we could not hold onto, which has been a frustration often this season. I think our set-piece was appalling – we contested poorly and went at only 55% of our own ball. That was poor and we will address it this week.”
Elusive fullback Cheslin Kolbe scored both the Province tries – on either side of half-time – and played a massive role in his team’s victory with his deadly running from deep.
“Of course Cheslin was brilliant, as he regularly is, but I thought collectively we were much better in the second half and dominated,” said Dobson. “I think, given the injuries and DHL Stormers call-ups, it was a good effort against a good and physical Griquas team.”
Next week Province have to travel to Johannesburg to take on a powerful MTN Golden Lions team in the semifinals – the Lions having beaten the Sharks in Durban in the quarterfinals; the Sharks, of course, having beaten WP in the league phase of the competition.
“It seems we have picked up some injuries which is not ideal going into a game against a team like the Lions who are a completely changed team since their tour of USA was cancelled, so it’s a difficult match-up when you’re up against a Super Rugby team, less a few players who have been loaned out, and we are a team minus 26 players in Australia and with ten others injured.
“It’s also amazing that this game has to be played away when we finished second on our long and they finished fourth (on theirs),” added Dobson. “But, so be it… we will make a good go of it!”
WP, under Dobson’s coaching, have lost just two games in the Vodacom Cup since 2011; a quarterfinal match and a league game (against the Sharks on both occasions – in 2011 and 2013, respectively).
At this stage, both Vodacom Cup semifinals have been scheduled for next Saturday. The final kick-off times will be confirmed early in the week.