Photo Credit: Speedshots.co.za
DHL Western Province hosted the Cell C Sharks at in Cape Town for the second semi-final of the Carling Currie Cup. The Cell C Sharks booked their place in the final against the Vodacom Bulls in Pretoria with a close 19-09 win.
The game was played in wet conditions and as expected the role of the goalkickers were important as they scored all the points in the match apart from one try by the Sharks. However, the Sharks' decision making throughout the game just gave them the edge at the end.
03:07 Curwin Bosch converted a 60m penalty to give the Sharks an early lead. (00-03)
09:38 Curwin Bosch converted another 50m monster. (00-06)
11:56 A 53m converted penalty by Curwin Bosch (00-09)
After 20 minutes in the first half was played Western Province started to set up camp in the Sharks 22.
29:18 Ox Nche sent off the field for 10 minutes after several penalties were conceded in their red zone.
31:23 Tim Swiel narrow the gap with a converted penalty. (03-09)
37:28 Tim Swiel added another three points. (06-09)
Western Province forcing the Sharks at this stage into making several mistakes that lead to penalties. The Sharks conceded 10 penalties in a row which gifted Western Province territorial advantage.
41:27 Tim Swiel level the scores with his third penalty (09-09)
46:58 Curwin Bosch added three points to give the Sharks back the lead with a drop goal.
67:53 Ernst van Rhyn is sent to the bin with a yellow card after Western Province conceded several penalties in their red zone. The momentum with the Sharks at that stage of the match.
72:12 JJ vd Mescht scored the first try of the match after the Sharks set up camp in the red zone of Western Province for a good 10 minutes. (09-19)
The Cell C Sharks win (19-09) in an ugly game to book their place in the Carling Currie Cup final against the Vodacom Bulls in Pretoria next Saturday.
Scorers:
Cell C Sharks: Try: JJ van der Mescht. Conversion: Curwin Bosch. Penalties: Curwin Bosch (4)
DHL Western Province: Penalties: Tim Swiel (3).
Teams:
DHL Western Province – 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Dan du Plessis, 12 Rikus Pretorius, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Tim Swiel, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Juarno Augustus, 7 Johan du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ali Vermaak. Replacements (from): 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Leon Lyons, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Chris van Zyl, 20 Ernst van Rhyn, 21 Jaco Coetzee, 22 Paul de Wet, 23 Ruhan Nel, 24 Sazi Sandi, 25 Tristan Leyds.
Cell C Sharks – 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am (captain), 12 Marius Louw, 11 Yaw Penxe, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Henco Venter, 6 Dylan Richardson 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 JJ van der Mescht, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Fezokuhle Mbatha, 1 Ox Nche. Replacements: 16 Dan Jooste, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 Michael Kumbirai, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Thembelani Bholi, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Jeremy Ward, 23 Manie Libbok.