DHL Western Province hosted the Toyota Cheetahs in the final Carling Currie Cup match of the weekend. Both sides were desperate for a win but at the end it was Western Province who had a brilliant second half to secure a 40-39 win.
The Cheetahs played the game at a high tempo, however, they also conceded 9 penalties which kept WP in the game. The Cheetahs were leading 28-16 at the end of the first half.
The second half belonged to Western Province as they scored three tries to win with a Swiel penalty with 5 minutes to go.
04:43 Sergeal Petersen scored WP first try after several players handled the ball (07-00).
06:38 Juandre Rudolph were the reply to WP's first try to level the scores. (07-07)
12:58 TimSwiel converted his first penalty for WP (10-07)
19:51 Cohan Jasper score a great try with the Cheetahs threatening to run amok (10-14).
20:00 A very even game with Cheetahs at that stage threatening to run the WP defence to tatters. A game that could still go any way.
23:04 Tim Swiel converted his second penalty (13-14).
28:04 Nama Xaba (WP) sent off with a yellow card.
29:12 Jeandre Rudolph score his second try of the match from the back of a 5m lineout maul (13-21).
35:29 Tim Swiel converted his 3rd penalty (16-21)
37:06 Tian Meyer score the Cheetahs 4th and bonus point try after some brilliant handling by their backs (16-28)
40:00 The Cheetahs played the game at a high tempo, however, they also conceded 9 penalties which kept WP in the game.
42:04 Ruan Pienaar converted the Cheetahs first penalty (16-31).
50:47 Evan Roos scored his 6th try of the season as WP is clawing their way back into the game (23-31).
60:00 The momentum at that stage with WP as they enjoyed the majority of possession and territory. With only 8 points the difference it is still anybody's game.
62:11 Ruan Pienaar converted his second penalty (23-34).
62:58 Seabelo Senatla score an easy try after the Cheetahs could not control the ball at the kick-off (30-34).
65:10 A sensational try by the Cheetahs with silky handling which sent Chris Smit over in the corner (30-39).
68:43 Godlen Masimla score his first try as both teams ran the ball at every opportunity (37-39).
74:04 Tim Swiel converted his 4th penalty to put WP in the lead by 1 point (40-39)
Scorers:
DHL Western Province: Try: Sergeal Petersen, Evan Roos, Seabelo Senatla, Godlen Masimla. Conversions: Tim Swiel (4). Penalties: Tim Swiel (4).
Toyota Cheetahs: Tries: Jeandre Rudolph (2), Cohen Jasper, Tian Meyer, Chris Smit. Conversions: Ruan Pienaar (4). Penalties: Ruan Pienaar (2)
DHL Western Province: 15 Sergeal Petersen, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Juan De Jongh, 12 Rikus Pretorius, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Tim Swiel, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Deon Fourie, 7 Ernst van Rhyn (captain), 6 Nama Xaba, 5 David Meihuizen, 4 JD Schickerling, 3 Sazi Sandi, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Dian Bleuler. Replacements: 16 Leon Lyons, 17 JJ Kotze, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Johan du Toit, 20 Evan Roos, 21 Godlen Masimla, 22 Dan du Plessis, 23 Warrick Gelant
Toyota Cheetahs: 15. Clayton Blommetjies, 14. Duncan Saal, 13. David Brits, 12. Siya Masuku, 11. Cohen Jasper, 10. Reinhardt Fortuin, 9. Ruan Pienaar (C), 8. Aidon Davis, 7. Junior Pokomela, 6. Jeandre Rudolph, 5. Jean Droste, 4. Rynier Bernardo, 3. Aranos Coetzee, 2. Marnus van der Merwe, 1. AluluthuTshakweni. Replacements: 16. Louis van der Westhuizen, 17. Cameron Dawson, 18. Hencus van Wyk, 19. Victor Sekekete, 20. Mihlali Mosi, 21. Tian Meyer, 22 Brandon Thomson, 23 Chris Smit.