As expected, the URC strengthened DHL Western Province crushed the Sanlam Boland Cavaliers 40-22 in Cape Town, securing their first win of the season in the Carling Currie Cup Premier Division.
The Boland Cavaliers will have to wait for the Fidelity ADT Lions and Griquas clash to see if they are to host a Carling Currie Cup Premier Division semi-final for the first time in history.
The Western Cape derby between WP and Boland at the DHL Stadium is a crucial affair for the visiting Kavaliers, who are desperate to consolidate their second place on the log and secure a home semi-final.
The Boland “dominated” during the first quarter of the match. Following a fifteen-man attack, prop Dayan van der Westhuizen bulldozed his way over the try line off the back of a ruck to score the Boland’s first try. Boland led to 05-00 after nineteen minutes of play in the first half.
Four minutes later, WP struck back in a similar fashion when Vernon Matongo crashed over, taking a two-point 07-05 lead, following the conversion by Jurie Matthee.
With ten minutes still to play in the first half, Juan Mostert converted a penalty to edge the visitors 08-07 into the lead, which was the halftime score.
Western Province scored their second try when Adre Smith crashed over. Jurie Matthee converted to extend the Western Province’s lead to 14-08 after four minutes of play in the second half.
The Western Province continued to apply pressure, and after ten minutes play in the second half, the Western Province spread the ball wide to Leolon Zas, who had an easy stroll over the tryline to score Western Province’s third try to extend their lead to 19-08.
Following a Boland try disallowed, the Western Province attacked with several players handling the ball, and fifty meters later, Jonathan Roche crashed over the Boland tryline . Roche’s try was also the Western Province’s bonus-point try. Matthee converted, extending the Western Province’s lead to 26-08 after fifty-two minutes of play.
Adre Smith scored his second try of the match, which was converted by Matthee to extend Western Province’s lead to 33-08.
Boland hit back with a try by Donovan Don, following great running by Lunathi Nxele. Mostert converted to cut the Western Province’s lead to 33-15.
Thereafter, the teams traded tries as Marcel Theunissen (WP) and Llewellyn Classen (Boland) added their names to the score-sheet. Western Province secured a 40-22 bonus-point win
Teams:
DHL Western Province: 15 Luke Burger, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Jonathan Roche, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Marcel Theunissen, 6 Deon Fourie (c), 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 JD Schickerling, 3 Zachary Porthen, 2 JJ Kotze, 1 Vernon Matongo. Replacements: 16 Lukhanyo Vokozela, 17 Oliver Reid, 18 Cabous Eloff, 19 Adre Smith, 20 Connor Evans, 21 Dewaldt Duvenage, 22 Jurie Matthee, 23 Wandisile Simelane.
Sanlam Boland Cavaliers: 15 Domenic Smit, 14 Donavan Don, 13 David Brits, 12 Lunathi Nxele, 11 Xavier Mitchell, 10 Juan Mostert, 9 Chriswill September, 8 Thurlow Marsh (c), 7 Sibusiso Sangweni, 6 Sauliegh Arendse, 5 Marlyn Williams, 4 Michael Benadie, 3 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 2 Sidney Tobias, 1 Wayrin Losper. Replacements: 16 Llewellyn Classen, 17 Lamla Nunu, 18 Mthokozisi Gumede, 19 Ameer Hendricks, 20 Jurie van Vuuren, 21 Louis Schreuder, 22 Erik Lambrecht, 23 Jayden Bantom.