DHL Western Province went down 29-21 in their Carling Currie Cup clash with the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV in Durban on Friday night.
DHL Western Province made a dominant start, camping in opposition territory and grinding the home team’s defence down until flank Paul de Villiers was able to force his way over for the opening try.
The visitors had the upper hand at scrum-time and in the tight exchanges, which saw them double their advantage before long when livewired scrumhalf Ezekiel Ngobeni gathered his own attacking grubber to score the second try.
The hosts scored against the run of play when wing Phiko Sibahle gathered a loose ball to go over in the corner, and they were right back in it on the stroke of half-time when left wing Jaco Williams claimed a cross-kick to score.
That saw DHL Western Province take a 14-12 advantage into the break, but the hosts would take the lead for the first time early in the second half when prop Lee-Marvin Mazibuko went over.
They followed that up with a try from Batho Hlekani on the hour mark, but DHL Western Province hit back soon afterwards with a try from Brendan Venter, which brought them back within striking distance at 26-21.
However, the home side had the final say with a late penalty enough to secure them the win.
Teams:
Hollywoodbets Sharks XV: 15 Jaco Williams, 14 Phiko Sobahle, 13 Diego Appollis, 12 Marnus Potgieter, 11 Jaco Williams, 10 Jean Smith, 9 Ceano Everson, 8 Nick Hatton (c), 7 Bathobele Hlekani, 6 Tino Mavesere, 5 Deon Slabbert, 4 Coetzee Le Roux, 3 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 2 Liam van Wyk, 1 Phatu Ganyane. Replacements: 16 Willem van den Hever, 17 Phiwayinkosi Kubheka, 18 Mawande Mdanda, 19 Corne Rahl, 20 Jannes Potgieter, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Drico Marx, 23 Albie Bester
DHL Western Province: 15 Tristan Leyds, 14 Jared Africa, 13 Gino Cupido, 12 Damian Markus, 11 Luke Burger, 10 Kyle Smith, 9 Ezekiel Ngobeni, 8 Louw Nel, 7 Riley Norton, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Gary Porter (c), 4 Alex Groves, 3 Zachary Porthen, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Cabous Eloff. Replacements: 16 Luca Bakkes, 17 Oliver Reid, 18 Herman Lubbe, 19 Enos Ndiao, 20 De Wet Marais, 21 Asad Moos, 22 Ronald Brown, 23 Brendan Venter.