Potent Province power to glory

Potent Province power to glory

27 Oct 2012

GARETH DUNCAN watched Western Province break their 11-year Currie Cup drought with a famous 25-18 final win over the Sharks at Kings Park.

Everyone loves an underdog story. And this match was one of the greats in South African domestic rugby.

The pre-match odds laid heavily in the Sharks’ favour. They had home-ground advantage, the strongest pack of the competition and the best team on paper, one loaded with Springboks. The Sharks had the confidence of beating the Stormers and WP four out of five fixtures earlier in the season, and they never lost to a South African team in Durban all year. The stats also proved they were the best attacking and defensive side of the Currie Cup.

However, what stats can’t measure is heart, mettle and determination. And WP, who were missing the likes of Jean de Villiers, Andries Bekker, Tiaan Liebenberg, Siya Kolisi and Schalk Burger, had bucket loads of this on the day.

The Sharks started off strongly and created several try-scoring opportunities, but they unraveled against a gritty WP outfit that failed to tire. The men from the Cape might have come off second best at the collisions and scrums for most parts of the match, but their breakdown assault, superior lineout efficiency and accurate tactical kicking game was crucial in their surprising triumph.

Man of the Match Deon Fourie was a star at openside flank, while Eben Etzebeth, Juan de Jongh and Demetri Catrakilis also deserve special mentions for their individual contributions in a top team performance.

But it took a while for the visitors’ ascendancy to emerge.

The opening quarter was dominated by the Sharks, who exposed the usually resilient Province defence on several occasions. Conversely, the hosts’ guard was resolute.

If it wasn’t for a sensational cover tackle from Bryan Habana, which denied opposite number JP Pietersen a clear run to the whitewash in the seventh minute, the Sharks would’ve held a comfortable lead.

However, Habana’s moment of defensive brilliance came with a sacrifice. The Springbok speedster struggled to gather to his feet after that hit and was taken off the field moments later because of a knee injury. Big blow for Province, and to those who were hoping to see more from the face-off between the two in-form wings.

While the Sharks were denied try opportunities, flyhalf Pat Lambie punished most of the penalties the visitors conceded. The 22-year-old found the target on four occasions to give the Sharks a 12-3 lead by the half-hour mark. Catrakilis nailed one three-pointer during this period.

Then came the unexpected Province fightback.

The biggest damage was done by Juan de Jongh, who executed a telling break shortly after Joe Pietersen’s 32nd-minute penalty.

From a scrum in centre field, the outside centre ran a perfect angle off Catrakilis to expose a gap in the Sharks’ defensive line. His explosiveness saw him beat three defenders in Keegan Daniel, Marcell Coetzee and Lwazi Mvovo on his way to the chalk. Catrakilis converted.

The pivot also added his second penalty on the stroke of half-time, which saw WP lead 16-12 at the break.

The Sharks regained the ascendancy in the second stanza and jumped back into the lead thanks to Lambie’s fifth and sixth penalties.

But Catrakilis landed three vital shots at goal thereafter. First a penalty to regain the lead, which was their only reward after applying relentless pressure on attack against a solid Sharks defence in the opposition’s red zone. Then he nailed two drop goals to add to the buffer. The second drop goal was an important score as it forced the hosts to search for a converted try in order to level the scores.

The Sharks created late drama as Louis Ludik broke down the sideline during the closing stages, with Charl McLeod on his outside. He only had Pietersen to beat, but he passed the ball too early and the defender guessed right to tackle McLeod. The reserve scrumhalf then tried to offload to Lambie, but he lost the ball in contact.

The Sharks also won possession after the final hooter, but again, they lost the ball in contact – this time 10m from the tryline.

Province held on to complete an excellent victory. What an amazing underdog story.


1,055 Comments

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  • 501.ufo: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 20:12 pm

    @stormersboy-494:

    absolutely…!!

    @stormersboy-497:

    let me know… will def be there…

  • 502.mikeybrass: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 20:12 pm

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-483: Oh man, coughing fit! Shame on you :-)

  • 503.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 20:12 pm

    @Gumboots-495: Feels good hey?

    :)

  • 504.Hoops: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 20:12 pm

    Pat who????????
    Keegan who????????

    We beat a 16 msn dharks team tonight. Peyper tried it all. Missing knocks. Calling knocks. Pathetic. Even giving Jannie two chances!!!!!!???????

    Fact is if pat did what iur greek dud sll shark on earth wiuld be calling bok callup!!!!

    Well dine province. Our b team beat their a team today!!!!!! Provinnnnnceeeeeee!!!!!!!!

  • 505.mikeybrass: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 20:13 pm

    No HG, no Tackler… Ah bliss reigns supreme.

  • 506.Gumboots: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 20:13 pm

    @ufo-492:

    Hey boet! Welcome home mate, welcome home… You are one of the most knowledgeable and humble guys around…@stormersboy-497: Boet dit is lekka innie kaap…

  • 507.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 20:13 pm

    @Gumboots-495: Sheez I guess I am going to have to be the ‘worst type of winner’ on behalf of everyone :)

    (Must be honest though, the gloating is only for a few Sharkies…..and they certainly ARE AWARE of who they are…..)

  • 508.Gumboots: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 20:14 pm

    @stormersboy-503:

    Boet it is great… We brought our ******* to KP and left them there…

    Hehehehe

  • 509.Hoops: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 20:14 pm

    Pat who????????
    Keegan who????????

    We beat a 16 man sharks team tonight. Peyper tried it all. Missing knocks. Calling knocks. Pathetic. Even giving Jannie two chances!!!!!!???????

    Fact is if pat did what our greek did all shark on earth would be calling bok callup!!!!

    Well dine province. Our b team beat their a team today!!!!!! Provinnnnnceeeeeee!!!!!!!!

  • 510.ufo: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 20:14 pm

    @Gumboots-500:

    Hey Bill… How you Bud…?

    Great result hey…?!

    Very proud of our young players… and older players… and coaching staff…

    as Robzim said earlier… Allister a true gentleman and deserves this belated success finally… very pleased for the man!!

  • 511.Gumboots: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 20:15 pm

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-507:

    We all know you and understand for sure…. It feels great…

    I know what you do and I enjoy every minute… ;)

  • 512.oscarthedawg: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 20:15 pm

    Beyond chuffed. Congratulations to Alistair and the boys. Deon. Eben. Dimitri. Everyone. Prrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrovvvvvvvvvvvvvvinccccccceeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!

  • 513.ufo: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 20:16 pm

    @Gumboots-506:

    Thanks Bill… more than I deserve… but thanks…

  • 514.Gumboots: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 20:17 pm

    @ufo-510:

    I couldn’t be better. This young team showed years beyond them… They didn’t know anything but win… You are obviously good too…

    To my mates at RT. Your team did you proud this year. Nothing to be ashamed of…

  • 515.WP-Forever: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 20:17 pm

    @ufo-501:

    Let me know as well! Would be great to see you again, and finally meet stormersboy in real life!

  • 516.Gumboots: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 20:19 pm

    Ja, would like to meet up with you guys too. Will be in CT soon… Work only though :(

  • 517.WP-Forever: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 20:19 pm

    How amazing was that left-footed flat-trajectory droppie by the Greek God of Sniping though?

  • 518.Jeraldjay: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 20:20 pm

    We won the double this year.

  • 519.WP-Forever: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 20:20 pm

    @Gumboots-516:

    Your first two drinks are on me, bud!

    (After that, all bets are off.. :lol: )

  • 520.Gumboots: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 20:21 pm

    @WP-Forever-519:

    Thanks bud! Ja okey the rest is on me… :lol:

  • 521.Gumboots: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 20:22 pm

    @WP-Forever-517:

    Man I was like did that go over…

  • 522.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 20:22 pm

    388.Gumboots said:
    22 Oct 2012, 19:38 pm
    @Robzim-387:

    I like the gloating from the Shark fans. The underdog tag does the world of good. The Sharks believe they are the best, so we will just have to wait and see. Head says Sharks, heart Province. We wouldn’t be fans if we didn’t believe – right?

    :)

  • 523.Ashraf Ismail: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 20:23 pm

    Vodacom Cup Champs,U19 Champs & Currie Cup Champs
    WP WP WP WP WWWWWWWWWWWWWWPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP

  • 524.WP-Forever: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 20:23 pm

    I just watched that Juan de Jongh try again…

    Such a lovely move…Catrakilis’s blind pass to the inside, de Jongh makes the break, hands off two Sharks loosies…then a clever little step leaves Mvovo out in the cold…

    And…it’s…OVERRRRRRRRRR!

  • 525.Gumboots: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 20:24 pm

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-522:

    :lol:

  • 526.Jeraldjay: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 20:25 pm

    @WP-Forever-524:
    Carel would be proud of that sidestep.

  • 527.WP-Forever: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 20:25 pm

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-522:

    I honestly feel like I am in the Lord of the Rings right now.

    The forces of good have just defeated the dark forces of Sauron…in their own backyard…

    …little Hobbits like Gio, Scarra, Fourie, JdJ all called “too small”…

    …but they had it where it mattered…their hearts…

    …I love a good ending.

  • 528.Gumboots: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 20:26 pm

    @WP-Forever-524:

    My wife who watched with me was like…. Did you see that? I’m like give me the pvr remote and saw the sheer elegance and class… Superb indivdual try that changed the course of the game…

  • 529.HongKongSlong: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 20:26 pm

    Fantastic result Province, its been way too long. Sharks are a great team, but it just didn’t happen for them today, bad luck guys. Perhaps your players lost the plot when they couldn’t quite believe what the referee was calling. I know nobody else could!
    The Currie cup needs more of a spotlight, its a great competition and its constantly being degraded, give it the respect it deserves….

  • 530.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 20:26 pm

    • 37.wp. winning nothing never looked so easy:
    26 Oct 2012, 09:22 am
    really want to see the wpian scrum getting a look at its own ahswhole.
    the red head kid will be smirking with brown stains on his cheeks.
    • 45.Tacitus:
    26 Oct 2012, 09:26 am
    How many final losses will this now be for WP/the Stormers?
    Allistair gonna have to haul out his “It’s gut wrenching but I will never give up” speech again.
    Or maybe the one where he says: “The Bulls also lost a number of play offs before winning the Super 14 3 times.”
    Allistair’s got losing final speeches mastered by now. I’m just glad that our Bok captain won’t be there to have to suffer the indignity of yet another losing captain speech after a crunch game. He deserves better than that.
    • 49.wp. winning nothing never looked so easy:
    26 Oct 2012, 09:28 am
    keegan daniel will bamboozle duane all night long.
    like a thoroughbred vs a gluehorse.
    • 50.Heavens Game:
    26 Oct 2012, 09:29 am
    Schönes Fräulein, lust auf mehr
    Blitzkrieg mit dem Fleischgewehr
    Schnaps im Kopf, du holde Braut
    Steck Bratwurst in dein Sauerkraut!
    BOOM!

  • 531.Gumboots: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 20:28 pm

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-530:

    LOL

  • 532.munkiboi: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 20:28 pm

    missed out on my multibet with this one. and so happy i did. awesome result province. the drought is broken, lets hope this is the start of a flood. 2 out of 3 with the u19′s too!

  • 533.ufo: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 20:28 pm

    @Gumboots-514:

    cool… enjoy…!!

    @WP-Forever-515:

    will do… would be cool to catch up…

    perhaps we should try and get more of us together and celebrate our champion team for the first time since we all met…!!??

    Yeah Bill… let us know next time you’re in town…

    (the site suddenly seems to have ground to a halt…???)

  • 534.WP-Forever: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 20:29 pm

    @Gumboots-528:

    You missed the try in real time?

    My condolences.

    I saw it in real time and it was AWESOME!!!!

  • 535.sparticus: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 20:29 pm

    Condolences to the sharks fans. I know howbub feel so I won’t rub it in. Awesome result and performance by a very young WP team. I do feel peyper was really pathetic as it was a final. Some obvious mistakes that could have cost us dearly. At the end of the day though the character of the team showed. Really happy tonight.

  • 536.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 20:30 pm

    @WP-Forever-524: I’ve watched it 12 times already :) I’m undecided as to which is more beautiful. Juan’s Gangnam moves, or the desolate figure of K-Dwg Daniel flat on his butt in the background?

  • 537.Gumboots: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 20:30 pm

    @WP-Forever-534:

    I was getting a beer… :lol: I was like hyper… HD/AD… I was in panic mode… LOL

  • 538.ryecatcher: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 20:31 pm

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-458: Abs olutely.Deon Fourie and Eben magnifecent gasmes.
    Almost mastered thye mouse tonight.Enjoy the win.

  • 539.WP-Forever: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 20:31 pm

    @ufo-533:

    Boet, it’s been a long eleven years…and like you say, none of us have tasted success as supporters from when this blog started…let’s get the whole bloody fandamily out there, Ig, Dawn (unless she’s still a Bulls supporter), stormersboy, Slappes, Gumboots, sondebok et al…

  • 540.WP-Forever: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 20:32 pm

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-536:

    Stormersboy put it best…that split second when the frame is frozen with the subtitle, “Jammer, meneer, maar hierdie bus is vol!”

    :lol:

  • 541.ufo: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 20:33 pm

    @Gumboots-537:

    :lol:

  • 542.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 20:33 pm

    Over and out. CC Champs fan off to celebrate her team WINNER style for the 1st time in wellllllll, many years.

    WP JOU LEKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKER DING.

    Be safe all.

  • 543.Gumboots: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 20:33 pm

    @WP-Forever-539:

    Ja celebrate good times come on…

    Read the songs posted on RT… A few are applicable tonight :lol:

  • 544.ryecatcher: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 20:34 pm

    @stormersboy-470: Txs again He is one of the better guys here

  • 545.ufo: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 20:34 pm

    @WP-Forever-539:

    Sounds good to be boet…

    Count me in…!!

  • 546.Golden Boy: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 20:34 pm

    @mikeybrass-498:

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-496:

    EXACTLY!!! For one night at least we have to live up to our reputation!! :-D

    Is that the biggest choke in a Final?? :-p

  • 547.Gumboots: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 20:34 pm

    @ufo-541:

    I couldn’t sit still mate… I was like turning my head from the tv, going to the loo… I missed half the game… Must watch the replay with a bottle of my best red wine tomorrow…

    But now I share the joy with my mates and gals…

  • 548.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 20:35 pm

    Am I not invited to shindig!

  • 549.mikeybrass: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 20:35 pm

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-536: The Cullen moved so fast he was never seen except in the rear-view mirror.

  • 550.WP-Forever: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 20:35 pm

    @sparticus-535:

    Agreed, my condolences to the (true) Sharks fans. It has, however, been very tough to be a WP supporter over the last eleven years in general, and on this rugby blog for the last seven years.

    Trust me, Sharks fans, we WP supporters know the pain you are feeling now. We have felt it many a time.

    What we have not felt recently is the elation of victory, which has been so elusive for so long. Please allow us our moment of celebration.

    And know that we have immense respect for the Sharks, a truly great team in the last decade…

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