Photo Credit: Speedshots.co.za
DHL Western Province had the opportunity to leap into the No 1 spot on the standings if they defeated defending champions, the Toyota Cheetahs, with a bonus point. However, their 2 points (31-29) win still see them move into the second spot with the same amount points (35) as the log leaders, Vodacom Bulls.
Western Province was happy to keep the score-board ticking with penalties from their scrum's dominance while two tries in quick succession by the Cheetahs in the first ten minutes of the second half gave them an unexpected fighting chance.
05:16 Tim Swiel converted the first penalty of the match for Western Province. (00-03)
07:29 Frans Steyn Converted a penalty to level the scores. (03-03)
20:40 Tim Swiel added another three points. (03-06)
The first twenty minutes was mainly a battle between the two teams come scrum time. The Western Province did have the upper hand but not dominant.
27:50 Tim Swiel Added his third converted penalty. (03-09)
29:57 Frans Steyn converted a 58m penalty. (06-09)
33:15 Tim Swiel converted his fourth penalty after a very dominant scrum from Western Province. (06-12)
37:25 Frans Steyn converted another 50m plus penalty. (09-12)
42:43 Jaco Coetzee scored an easy try from a 5-meter line-out. (09-17)
Western Province dominated the first half with the boot of Frans Steyn that kept the Cheetahs in the game. The scrum of Western Province dominant at the end of the first half which provided Western Province with a solid base to control territory.
44:14 Tim Swiel added another three points. (09-20)
52:17 Tim Swiel added his sixth converted penalty. (09-23)
56:35 The Cheetahs scored their first try in the match which could still be a vital moment in the game. (16-23)
58:44 Rosco Specman over under the poles to level the game. A long-distance try with the magic between Blommetjies and Specman leaving the Western Province defence flat-footed. (23-23)
64:00 Frans Steyn put the Cheetahs into the lead for the first time of the match with a converted penalty. (26-23)
66:52 A stupid penalty conceded by Blommetjies after the whistle has gone gave Western Province a 5-meter line-out after which Bongi Mbonambi scored the Western Province's second try from a maul. (26-28)
77:04 A Boan Venter penalty in the scrum allowed Frans Steyn to convert another penalty. (29-28)
80:14 Tim Swiel converted his seventh penalty to deservedly win the game for Western Province. (29-31)
Scorers:
DHL Western Province: Tries: Jaco Coetzee, Bongi Mbonambi. Penalties: Tim Swiel (7)
Toyota Cheetahs: Tries: Wilmar Arnoldi, Rosco Specman. Conversions: Frans Steyn (2). Penalties: Frans Steyn (5)
Teams:
Toyota Cheetahs: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Rhyno Smith, 13 Dries Swanepoel, 12 Frans Steyn, 11 Rosko Specman, 10 Reinhardt Fortuin, 9 Ruben de Haas, 8 Jeandré Rudolph, 7 Oupa Mohoje, 6 Andisa Ntsila, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Carl Wegner (capt), 3 Khutha Mchunu, 2 Wilmar Arnoldi, 1 Boan Venter. Replacements: 16 Marnus van der Merwe, 17 Erich de Jager, 18 Conraad van Vuuren, 19 Victor Sekekete, 20 Chris Massyn, 21 George Cronje, 22 Howard Mnisi, 23 Tian Meyer.
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 Jaco Coetzee, 5 David Meihuizen, 4 JD Schickerling, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff (captain). Replacements: 16 Solomon, 17 Kwenzo Blose, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Chris van Zyl, 20 Marcel Theunissen, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Ruhan Nel, 23 Tristan Leyds.