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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28 Oct 2012, 07:02 am
@Fern-799:
Whatevers, Fernburger, Three girls heading to the Kei with us. One of them is Lambie!
28 Oct 2012, 07:04 am
@Fern-799:
Whatevers, Fernburger.
28 Oct 2012, 07:11 am
thoroughly enjoyed the final well done to both teams, but province was the better team on the day and desreved the trophy
28 Oct 2012, 07:13 am
Clear Waters Spur here we come. The Victory lap (dance). God the boys are grak here. Fat boys.
28 Oct 2012, 07:14 am
Well done WP. Bad luck Sharks. These two teams will carry the flag for SA in next years Super comp.
Well done Alistair. You took a young group of players all the way. Keep up the good work
28 Oct 2012, 07:28 am
Bad luck Sharks boys and girls, finals can be cruel.
28 Oct 2012, 07:37 am
well done weepee – better team won on the night.
alister coetzee – good guys do come first!
matthew proudfoot – the much lampooned forwards coach – excellent job. would love to have you in the bok set up.
my boet in cpt – hope this helps to alleviate the current tough times.
ufo – good to see you on here – classy as always.
28 Oct 2012, 07:38 am
@PissAnt-806:
Strangely, out of all the WP sides in the last 11 years, this run on one is probably the last I would have backed to win the cup.
Just goes to show how little I actually know about rugby!
28 Oct 2012, 07:41 am
@PissAnt-806: Not as cruel as many WP fans having had to endure a lot of Sharks comments for the past few weeks….
28 Oct 2012, 07:46 am
@David-808:
I certainly did not back them! But I love being reminded rugby is not about what is said and done before the kick off. It is about what happens for that 80 minutes between the 4 white lines.
@stormersboy-809:
It’s never about what is said before the game takes place, it is what you say (or don’t say) after the final whistle that really counts.
28 Oct 2012, 07:47 am
I slept like a baby and dreamt of Ig
28 Oct 2012, 07:47 am
@PissAnt-810: Whats your take on Jaco Peyper?
28 Oct 2012, 07:48 am
@Dawn-811: And by “slept like a baby” you mean you cried incessantly and wet yourself from time to time??
28 Oct 2012, 07:49 am
More mense! Ek het net so lekker geslaap.
My coffee even tasted better this morning…
28 Oct 2012, 07:51 am
@Gumboots-814: I have a seriaaaas headache.
Not sure from what
28 Oct 2012, 07:51 am
@stormersboy-813: I think you’re talking about HG…..
28 Oct 2012, 07:52 am
And it was wp’s b team. Think the lions also would’ve beaten the sharks…. Beast not so beasttttttttt anymore… Sharks needs to get out the cheque book amd buy another 10 grey boys
28 Oct 2012, 07:53 am
28 Oct 2012, 07:53 am
@stormersboy-815:
Neck ache, back ache, headache, who cares… We need to get a new trophy cabinet…
Vodacom Cup
Conference Trophy
U/19 Trophy
Currie Cup
Most Loyal Supporter Trophy
Ouch…that move was too quick… Hehehe
28 Oct 2012, 07:53 am
@stormersboy-812:
He was poor. Refs miss stuff, but he (and his assistants) missed very obvious stuff which to me only means one thing, the moment got to them and it influenced how they manage the game and the players.
28 Oct 2012, 07:55 am
@Gumboots-819: It’s true. Let the good times roll!
28 Oct 2012, 07:56 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-816: Oh he’ll be lurking I’m sure……….
28 Oct 2012, 07:57 am
@stormersboy-821:
At least no heart ache
28 Oct 2012, 08:00 am
@Gumboots-819: I feel for John Dobson……..His U/21′s would have been in with a real shout of grabbing that U/21 trophy if he had been able to field a full strength team. One can only give him credit for the manner in which he sacrificed quite a bit this season for the greater good…. Dobson played an integral part in coaching MANY of the young UCT/WP players who performed so well yesterday.
If WP aren’t careful, that’s one coach who will be snapped up by another union……
28 Oct 2012, 08:00 am
@Gumboots-823: yeah I’ll take the headache every day!
28 Oct 2012, 08:01 am
@stormersboy-822: Crawling round the floor like a crack ho who has lost her pipe more likely……Wailing to the rugbygods about the traditional north/south powerhouses and fat spermwhales.
28 Oct 2012, 08:02 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-826:
28 Oct 2012, 08:06 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-824:
Yes indeed! They played their hearts out too, but the U/21 A side won the big one…
28 Oct 2012, 08:09 am
@Gumboots-828: Watched Juan’s try again this morning
Daniel and Coetzee left flapping, Mvovo caught napping, and Ludik running ankle yapping…..
Absolutely priceless.
28 Oct 2012, 08:13 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-829:
Pure plaas…
28 Oct 2012, 08:15 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-829: I hope Meyer took note as well !! Is that why the team’s announcement has been delayed until today ? Some guys knocking too hard for a spot in the touring side ?
28 Oct 2012, 08:17 am
congratulations to all you wp fans on your team’s gutsy performance yesterday. trust me your win was celebrated by most who abhor sporting arrogance
28 Oct 2012, 08:18 am
@charo-807:
A very gracious Sharks supporter. And cheers to you too, mate.
The WP team won against all odds. No one gave them a chance. Sometimes those are the best odds of all.
I started saying yesterday that if you believe you can do it then it’ll happen. And it did.
The Sharks are fierce competitors and put up a great fight. There will be plenty more ding dong battles going forward.
28 Oct 2012, 08:19 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-824: Yes I rate Dobson highly !! What’s your take on Swiel at 10 ? It’s the first time that I’ve seen him. He impressed with ball in hand but I couldn’t see if he could kick. I know they wanted to play a running game but a flyhalf has to be able to kick well. I would love to see more of him, especially since he is still under 19.
The Bulls had too much power up front and had a number of young Boks in their side plus some CC and S15 players (Botha and Venter) in their team.
Jan Serfontein came off the bench for the U/19s and scorde a try as well. A pity the venue was changed – I would have liked to see that match
28 Oct 2012, 08:21 am
@charo-807: Thanks man !!@Transformation-832: Thank You we’ll take it with a smile !! 11 years ago seemed like ages ago (I know it is !!)
28 Oct 2012, 08:23 am
@Transformation-832:
Thanks mate…
@I am a stormer-833:
Hi buddy! Man the wine tastes so much better. How ya doin mate?
28 Oct 2012, 08:27 am
@CharlesM-831: I also think a few niggling injuries might have played a role in that. I for one would be relieved if Habana and co didn’t tour.
Then there are players like Deon Fourie, Ludik etc – who surely can’t be ignored?
One thing yesterdays game put to bed, hopefully for the final time – is the huge value that should placed on having players who excel on the ground. Vermeulen, Fourie, Kitshoff….all rocking.
There might even be a place in the touring party for Kitshoff – even if he doesn’t start, the experience will be valuable. Hard to believe their ages…and credit to the WP systems, structures and coaches for believing in them. (We are going to be handsomely rewarded in the years to come….)
28 Oct 2012, 08:31 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-829: And that gannam style celebration! My kids have been doing the dance all morning!
28 Oct 2012, 08:32 am
@CharlesM-834: Felt sorry for him actually, as our forwards were being pumped at times, which didn’t make his job easier. Watched him when he was at school – and most agreed he’s got the goods, BUT he has a few weaknesses….
The semi final last week highlighted a few of them in terms of his kicking game – but nothing that can’t be fixed, look at Lambie.
I think an English club tried to get him to sign with them as well, but he chose to stay in CT and improve on what he seems to perceive his own weaknesses are, and fight for a spot in the WP setup.
Keen to see what we do with our 10′s next year. Still don’t believe we should try and keep Catrakilis though.
28 Oct 2012, 08:34 am
@Gumboots-836:
I’m doing just fine. And you. Life is good.
I’m just chuffed that the team weren’t burdened by that underdog tag. I think they threw it in the dustbin on the way to the stadium.
And they just said vokkit. We’re here for a game of rugby.
We must corner Humble Graciousness in Pretoria for that beer.
28 Oct 2012, 08:35 am
I think the work done by Rassie with the clubs and youngsters has been largely overlooked.
28 Oct 2012, 08:35 am
@stormersboy-838:
We did it last night…….. (not very attractive when all those doing said gangnam styling were pretty wasted and deliriously overjoyed – deleting footage of it as I type 
)
28 Oct 2012, 08:38 am
@I am a stormer-840:
Ja anytime boet! I tell you I was so hyper yesterday as I just felt good the whole morning. I said to the wife yesterday that I was expecting something good – unlike other years. It feels great mate…
28 Oct 2012, 08:40 am
@David-841:
Rassie is part of the ‘systems’ and ‘structures’, as are the fellows who run the institute/academy….Jacques Hanekom and Stephan Nel.
There is no doubt in my mind, that the WPRI is the finest academy in the country, regardless of what other say
28 Oct 2012, 08:42 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-837: I agree. Speaking about the forwards: I think Plum made a mistake with the timing of the subs. The Sharks’ scrum was so dominant but when Jannie and Burden were subbed, we could hold our own which made it easier. Scarra is a promising young player but he’ll have to bulk up a little in order to be competitive against powerful opponents in the scrum.@David-841: Rassie got a lot of flack but he did a lot of the work behind the scenes. He also brought in John Dobson after his success with UCT.
I’m glad AC could finally get his hands on a trophy to show for his efforts.
28 Oct 2012, 08:45 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-844:
And we also outsource it to the Bulls.
Don’t forget that.
28 Oct 2012, 08:53 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-844: I visited Jacques Hanekom at the WPRI a month ago: what a place !! We went to the undercovered practice area as well: according to him it is quite cool inside during summer time. The Boks’ Sevens were practising on a Friday morning around 11.00 when I was there.
The surface is of such a nature that you don’t get grassburns. They can actually do live scrums on the surface as well which is an advantage when all the fields (outside) are wet and soggy during winter.
Jacques is an excellent coach. We went to the same res at Stellenbosch during the eighties and played “koshuisrugby” : he was the loosehead and I was the hooker. His technical knowledge about the game is phenomenal.
Apparently all the rehab work of the Province team is done at the WPRI as well. Previously a lot of the rehab was done at the HPC in Bellville. Johan van Wyk (he played hooker for Province), a qualified physio does all the rehab (of the senior players as well). I could see all the names written on the white board in his office e.g Duane, Siya, Nick etc.
I spoke to a former Bok’s (John Villett) wife last night. He works at the university of Stellenbosch and he felt at the time that the university made a huge mistake not to get involved at the WPRI.
28 Oct 2012, 08:54 am
Well done to Province, I thought yesterday’s game the showed the temperament that has been such a Hallmark of Bulls rugby for such a long time under Matfield!
That bloody mindedness that they will beat their opponents was evidenced against the Lions and now against the Sharks in a game they had lost before the kick off even!
All credit to AC and his troops
28 Oct 2012, 09:00 am
@CharlesM-847: A good mate of mine is the GM there, it’s amazing what they have done!
28 Oct 2012, 09:01 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-829: Not many players can sidestep off both feet. Such a joy to watch…and WHAT a try!
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