DHL WP are up against Tafel Lager Griquas in a Carling Currie Cup encounter at a hot and still DHL Newlands. Follow our live updates here.
Captain Siya Kolisi has been withdrawn from the team due to COVID-19 protocols. He will be replaced in the starting line-up by Jaco Coetzee, with Ernst van Rhyn coming onto the bench. Steven Kitshoff will skipper the side in the Boxing Day clash with Tafel Lager Griquas.
0 – Kick-off from DHL WP and the ball is turned over by both teams early on before they both kick high to test the skills under the high ball.
4 – DHL WP make good progress upfield and Dan du Plessis breaks the line before being brought down on the 22. An attempted intercept from the visitors so DHL WP hve the first scrum.
8 – They win the scrum penalty after a big shove and kick it into the corner. The maul is brought down illegally so they set up another and hooker Bongi Mbonambi is over for an early try. Tim Swiel slots the conversion to put DHL WP 7-0 up.
13 – The visitors try to run it from their own half, but the DHL WP defence holds up well and forces a knock-on near halfway to give them the second scrum of the match.
16 – Skipper Steven Kitshoff takes it up the middle and Tafel Lager Griquas do not roll away after it takes a few of them to bring him down. Tim Swiel takes aim at the poles and slots the penalty to make it 10-0.
20 – The visitors break the line, but Juarno Augustus is well-positioned to bring his opposite number down. Another knock-on is forced and another scrum penalty means that they can clear their lines.
24 – A great set move from a line-out and outside centre Dan du Plessis runs the perfect line to break the defence and race 30 metres to score the second try. The conversion from Swiel is good and takes the lead out to 17-0.
32 – The Griquas are on the attack as they hammer away at the defence. They win a few penalties in good attacking position and opt to kick for the corner in search of a try.
35 – The Tafel Lager Griquas break the line in the 22 and wing Eduan Keyter gets over for their first try to reduce DHL WP lead to 17-7 after 34 mins.
40 – Griquas end the first half on the front foot, but the DHL WP defence holds out well and they take a 17-7 advantage into half-time.
43 – Tafel Lager Griquas score first in the second half through a penalty from flyhalf Tinus de Beer which reduces DHL WP’s lead to 17-10.
45 – Another powerful maul and another try to hooker Bongi Mbonambi who makes it a double at DHL Newlands today. That takes DHL WP’s lead out to 22-10 with 35 mins left to play.
50 – A surging attack from DHL WP with Rikus Pretorius and Juarno Augustus both making good ground into the 22 before Jaco Coetzee grabs it and forces his way over for the fourth try. The conversion from Swiel takes the lead out to 29-10.
55 – Griquas go on the attack again, but the DHL WP defence stands strong again and forces a knock-on in front of the poles. The forwards win a scrum penalty so they can clear it to halfway.
60 – Griquas break the line, but the scrmable defence is good and another knock-on is forced on the 22 so DHL WP will have another scrum.
62 – Another scrum penalty is followed by a penalty from a maul, so DHL WP are on the front foot with a line-out on the 22 as Chad Solomon comes on for his 50th cap for DHL WP.
67 – A scrum penalty sees DHL WP march upfield and a few powerful mauls eventually result in replacement hooker Chad Solomon crashing over for his try in his 50th match for DHL WP. That takes the lead out to 34-10.
72 – Griquas with an attacking scrum and they drive it close, but a breakdown penalty in front of the poles means DHL WP clear thier lines again.
75 – Griquas back on the attack as they look for a late consolation try, but DHL WP defending well and look good to get the bonus point here.
80 – Griquas replacement Siba Qoma forces his way over for a late consolation try, but DHL WP have claimed a 34-17 bonus-point win at DHL Newlands.