DHL Western Province hosted the Cell C Sharks at the Danie Craven Stadium with only pride to play for. The Cell C Sharks on the other hand needed a bonus-point win to give them a serious chance to qualify for the playoffs of the Carling Currie Cup. Unfortunately, the hosts held on for the last ten minutes to win 28-21, denying the Sharks a semi-final spot.
Both sides were willing to run the ball at every opportunity during this exciting match. DHL Western Province led 15-00 at the halftime break, however, a great third quarter by the Cell C Sharks closed the gap on the scoreboard to only one point. Unfortunately, the hosts held on for the last ten minutes to win 25-21, denying the Sharks a semi-final spot.
20:00 The first twenty minutes of the match were played at a remarkable pace, with both sides not scared to run at their opponents at every opportunity. Despite all the action no points were scored with Western Province maybe just looking the better of the two sides. Mistakes on the attack by both sides cost them scoring much-needed points.
28:10 Chris Smit converted Western Province's first penalty. (03-00)
30:36 Sergeal Petersen scored the Western Province's first try collecting a grubber from Tristan Leyds. (08-00)
34:10 After a stunning counter-attack, the host scored on the other end of the field as Thomas Bursey scored Western Province's second try. (15-00)
40:00 The first half ended with the home team leading 15-00. Both teams are still happy running at every opportunity with the tries by the host not resulting from structured play.
46:04 Sikhumbuzo Notshe scored Cell C Sharks' first points as he bulldozed his way over the hosts try-line. (15-07)
52:38 Le Roux Roets scored the visitors' second try after great interplay by forwards and backs. (15-14)
54:29 Bobby Alexander scored the hosts third try, falling on the ball after a grubber by Sergeal Petersen. (22-14)
60:00 The first twenty minutes of the second half started with a lot of action. Three tries were scored in this period with the momentum with the Cell C Sharks.
61:49 Marnus Potgieter scored in the corner for the visitors after Le Roux Roets used his big frame to make several meters. (22-21)
69:11 Cornel Smit converted his second penalty for Western Province. (25-21)
80:43 Cornel Smit converted his third penalty for Western Province. (28-21)
Scorers:
DHL Western Province: Tries: Sergeal Petersen, Thomas Bursey, Bobby Alexander. Conversions: Cornel Smit (2). Penalties: Cornel Smit.
Cell C Sharks: Tries: Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Le Roux Roets, Marnus Potgieter. Conversions: Boeta Chamberlain (3).
Teams:
DHL Western Province: 15. Sergeal Petersen, 14. Angelo Davids, 13. Cornel Smit, 12. Juan de Jongh (captain), 11. Ebenezer Tshimanga, 10. Tristan Leyds, 9. Thomas Bursey, 8. Keke Morabe, 7. Marcel Theunissen, 6. Shaine Orderson, 5. Ben-Jason Dixon, 4. Simon Miller, 3. Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 2. Jacques van Zyl, 1. Ali Vermaak. Replacements: 16. HP van Schoor, 17. Kwenzo Blose, 18. Leon Lyons, 19. Hilton Lobberts, 20. Jarrod Taylor, 21. Bobby Alexander, 22. Jonathan Roche, 23. Mnombo Zwelendaba.
Cell C Sharks: 15. Anthony Volmink, 14. Marnus Potgieter, 13. Jeremy Ward (c), 12. Murray Koster, 11. Werner Kok, 10. Curwin Bosch, 9. Cameron Wright, 8. Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7. Jeandre Labuschagne, 6. Mpilo Gumede, 5. Hyron Andrews, 4. Le Roux Roets, 3. Khutha Mchunu, 2. Kerron van Vuuren, 1. Dian Bleuler. Replacements: 16. Dan Jooste, 17. Khwezi Mona, 18. Wiehahn Herbst, 19. Reniel Hugo, 20. OJ Noa, 21. Bradley Davids, 22. Boeta Chamberlain, 23. Ben Tapuai.