DHL Western Province made sure of top spot in the South Section of the 2015 Vodacom Cup thanks to a 27-19 win over the SWD Eagles in their final league match of the season at DHL Newlands.
The victory – with a bonus point – means that DHL Western Province will have a right to a home quarterfinal and semifinal in the competition.
DHL Western Province led by 14-9 at half-time, thanks to first-half tries by flanker Tapiwa Tsomondo and fit-again centre Jaco Taute, with flyhalf Robert du Preez adding both conversions.
However, SWD remained in touch via three first-half penalty goals, before winger Tshotsho Mbovane touched down in the 47th minute to make it 19-9 for the hosts.
Tsomondo crossed for his second try to extend Province’s lead to 24-9, before a late SWD try saw the visitors pushing hard for the losing bonus point.
It was not to be, however, as replacement flyhalf Jean-Luc du Plessis landed his team’s first penalty of the day – with the final act of play – to leave DHL WP as deserved winners.
DHL Western Province, with seven wins from seven starts in the league phase of the 2015 Vodacom Cup (one of just two unbeaten teams in the whole competition), will now host the Leopards in a quarterfinal in Cape Town next weekend. (Those match details are yet to be confirmed.)
The scorers:
For DHL Western Province:
Tries: Tsomondo 2, Taute, Mbovane
Cons: Du Preez 2
Pen: J du Plessis
For the SWD Eagles:
Try: Eksteen
Con: Van Vuuren
Pens: Van Vuuren 3, Smith
The teams:
DHL Western Province: 15 EW Viljoen, 14 Tshotsho Mbovane, 13 Jaco Taute, 12 Kyle Lombard, 11 JP Lewis, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Godlen Masimla, 8 Rayn Smid, 7 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 6 Tapiwa Tsomondo, 5 Chris van Zyl, 4 Wilhelm van der Sluys, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Michael Willemse (captain), 1 Oli Kebble.
Replacements: 16 Charlton van Jaarsveld, 17 Sti Sithole, 18 Jan de Klerk, 19 Justin Benn, 20 SP Ferreira, 21 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 22 Willy Ambaka.
SWD Eagles: 15 Elric van Vuuren, 14 Clinton Wagman, 13 Kirsten Heyns, 12 Martin du Toit, 11 Alshaun Bock, 10 Gerhardus Smith, 9 Dwayne Kelly, 8 Zandre Jordaan, 7 Davon Raubenheimer (captain), 6 Johannes Stander, 5 Mzwanele Zito, 4 Schalk Oelofse, 3 Ashley Buys, 2 Marius Fourie, 1 Layle Delo.
Replacements: 16 Wayne Khan, 17 Raoul Larson, 18 Andries van der Walt, 19 Andisa Ntsila, 20 Christo du Plessis, 21 Leighton Eksteen, 22 Daniel Robberts.
Referee: Lloyd Linton (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Divan Uys, Local
