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, 12:25 pm
@Heavens Game-943: Well Played.
28 Oct 2012, 12:25 pm
@assagai-945:
Their must have been a reason for Deon Fourie turning down the European offer.
Think he will be included in the EOYT squad.
28 Oct 2012, 12:26 pm
@I am a stormer-949: you cannot have JDJ with PJ or TW in one team. You need a basher an none of them are in that mould.
28 Oct 2012, 12:26 pm
@Heavens Game-943: POP! Bwahahahahahah
But cheers for that post HG!
Agree 100% with it, Lambie was great despite his teams performance.
Traditional Powers for the win!
28 Oct 2012, 12:27 pm
@Jeraldjay-952: WP offered him more money and yes he will be included.
28 Oct 2012, 12:27 pm
@Heavens Game-943:
Good man. Kudos to you. It was just the brokebacks day. It had to happen sooner or later.
28 Oct 2012, 12:28 pm
@Bagel-934: Morne had a below average Super. JdJ has proven himself on the international stage.
28 Oct 2012, 12:29 pm
@Bagel-934: Yes, Meyer’s backline selections are puzzling indeed.
28 Oct 2012, 12:30 pm
@Hg ….see we both had the same thing about bleeding eyes lol. But mine was for WP not a Shark.
I am feeling no pain, we were kuk and they were better, if we had played outstanding rugby then I would have been sulky.
28 Oct 2012, 12:32 pm
@Jeraldjay-942: Groom play at the base of the scrum and ruck is superior to Reinach who also lacks a refined kicking game.
28 Oct 2012, 12:33 pm
@honest79-953:
Yes you can. What i’m saying is that you need more skillful players in the centre. We don’t always need big bashers. We have to look past JDV. And who is to partner F Steyn next year when JDV is no longer there. Jean will be the captain for the tour but I would rather blood a new centre and a new captain. Otherwise HM is just delaying the situation.
28 Oct 2012, 12:33 pm
Lambie = Catrakillis = Jantjies only difference is level of experience but as far as potential go they much of a muchness middle of the road decent lieutenants but no great shakes.
WP should play Schreuder or Pietersen at FH not Jantjies with Taute at FB.
Schreuder perhaps the closest I seen to Henry Honibal in his little 10 minute stint of bust it up bravery.
28 Oct 2012, 12:33 pm
So when is our next game of rugby (Boks) ?
28 Oct 2012, 12:34 pm
@assagai-945: Spot on…
28 Oct 2012, 12:36 pm
@Treehugger-959:
The Sharks were always in it. Even at the end I had visions of an equalising 7 pointer. And then extra time. I was just as nervous.
28 Oct 2012, 12:36 pm
@honest79-953: Neither Tim Hooran or Jason Little, Frank Bunce or Walter Little, Michael du Plessis or Danie Gerber were bashers. You need centers who can attack into space which sets up the next phase mall more effectively for strike runners, etc.
28 Oct 2012, 12:36 pm
@Heavens Game-943:
Honourable indeed…
@Treehugger-944:
It was just our day…
Always enjoy good sportsmanship (womanship) maybe!!!
28 Oct 2012, 12:37 pm
@assagai-962: Little Pieterson’s try saving tackle was immense. Perfect perfect perfect.
28 Oct 2012, 12:37 pm
@I am a stormer-961: I am telling you this on what I have seen from HM, he will now choose Steyn and JDJ ‘maybe’, but NEVER will he choose two of those you mentioned in one team. HM loves size and you CANNOT convince him otherwise.It is a SA thing , even the journalists write accordingly and believe this. The mindset has to change an it will take a very very very longtime.
28 Oct 2012, 12:38 pm
@Treehugger-963:
10 Nov against Ireland.
28 Oct 2012, 12:39 pm
@mikeybrass-960:
Reinach is similar to Joost. Unpredictable around the fringes. Basically what we expected Hougaard to be.
But Groom has a great rugby brain and is an excellent decision maker.
28 Oct 2012, 12:41 pm
@mikeybrass-966: Jason Little and Walter Little were indeed bashers. We have NOT had a centre with the step an balance of JDJ.EVER!
28 Oct 2012, 12:42 pm
Serfontein, JdJ, Venter, De Allende, Jordaan, Howard, Brache
The center channels are very well stocked just need the correct coach to unleash all the talent effectively.
Nick Groom by far the most promising 9 in the country, Reinach who??
28 Oct 2012, 12:43 pm
@honest79-972:
Danie Gerber…
28 Oct 2012, 12:45 pm
@Jeraldjay-971: I thought Groom was excellent around the edges yesterday and played better than Reinach. Both are excellent prospects for the future. Both have been playing better than Hougaard.
My hope is that Groom will start ahead of Duvenhage for the Stormers.
28 Oct 2012, 12:46 pm
@honest79-969:
I hear you. And I’ve heard it from HM first hand where he said size matters, particularly the loosies. He likes the big ball carrying types.
But if he wants to go for combo’s then he must play JDJ at 12 and JDV at 13. And not the other way around. He needs the playmaker as close to the action as possible. JDV seems to have lost that touch. JDV will be there in the squad only because we would be lacking experience.
But when Bismarck and Schalk are back next year, the captaincy issue will gain more importance.
28 Oct 2012, 12:46 pm
@honest79-972: I don’t agree that they were bashers. What they did was create space around them ala Hennie le Roux. Re steppers, you are correct for us in the modern era. We’ve had Mannetjies and Gerber in the past.
28 Oct 2012, 12:47 pm
@mikeybrass-975:
I have no doubt Groom will start ahead of Duvenhage in February.
Hopefully Schreuder will be standing next to him.
28 Oct 2012, 12:47 pm
@Jeraldjay-974:
Some people have short memories.
28 Oct 2012, 12:48 pm
@I am a stormer-976: Whether Jean will recover in time for the first test is any blogger’s guess.
28 Oct 2012, 12:48 pm
@Jeraldjay-978: Let’s see what Feb brings. It’s exciting times for a WP/Stormers supporter
28 Oct 2012, 12:49 pm
Well done Province.
One thing though…. last year some of you called this a water down competition with no value when you got knocked out of the semi last year.
Now that you are the 2012 champs…… how does it feel?
Nice feeling ne?
Enjoy it….
28 Oct 2012, 12:51 pm
Indeed an experience. Thank you Durban for your hospitality. One that will be remembered for a long time. The underdog performed and the favourites just couldn’t pull it through.
28 Oct 2012, 12:52 pm
@mikeybrass-981:
Finally we can back our optimism up with that shiny thing in the cabinet.
28 Oct 2012, 12:55 pm
@Nikita-983: hey jojo…late start to the day?
28 Oct 2012, 12:57 pm
@Nikita-983:
So they let you out alive. You didn’t pollute the atmosphere I take it.
28 Oct 2012, 13:00 pm
@Transformation-985: @I am a stormer-986:
I am off to bed very soon. Didn’t sleep at all. Natal supporters are very mature and ‘the word’ wasn’t used once. It has been misconstrued and used as sensationalism.
28 Oct 2012, 13:02 pm
@mikeybrass-980:
That’s what i was trying to get through as well. If JDV is in the squad but unfit for the first test, then who. No Frans, no JDV. Only Taute with 1 mediocre test behind his name. JDJ has got to be there. And as I said, don’t discount the 2 Sharkie centres. At least 1 of them should be there. More than likely Jordaan.
28 Oct 2012, 13:03 pm
@Nikita-987:
I am sure the Shark supporters enjoyed your company…
who wouldn’t?
28 Oct 2012, 13:05 pm
@I am a stormer-988: Two mediocre tests
How he got in there ahead of JdJ is a travesty.
JdJ has to be a starter for the first test, surely… Pray to the rugby gods.
28 Oct 2012, 13:07 pm
@mikeybrass-990:
I hope this size issue is laid to rest for good. Like someone said if the heart is there, size don’t matter…
28 Oct 2012, 13:10 pm
@Heavens Game-943:
This would be incomplete if it don’t go down with an ‘ I told you so’, did you really and honestly think you were gonna hammer the WP defenseless, even when Catrakillis and Peyper were your two most promising contributors through first half, we still came back and stuffed you through your overrated self infatuated eye.
Like I said on Thursday, it gonna be SWEET when WP stuff these overrated sardinetjies back in their sardine blik, very sweet indeed.
28 Oct 2012, 13:11 pm
@mikeybrass-990:
From your lips to god’s ears.
28 Oct 2012, 13:13 pm
@Gumboots-991:
It is not the size of the dog in the fight but the size of fight in the dog that counts.
28 Oct 2012, 13:15 pm
@I am a stormer-994: @I am a stormer-994:
So true… JdJ just does what he does best. Performs on the field… I hope he gets a start for the Boks…
28 Oct 2012, 13:20 pm
Waiting for announcement of Bok sqaud for EOYT
28 Oct 2012, 13:25 pm
If fourie and de jong are not picked for the eoy tour u must know one thing for certain – the powers that be are thicker than 2 short planks.
28 Oct 2012, 13:27 pm
And picked to start – not to play left back.
28 Oct 2012, 13:29 pm
@cab-997: Never underestimate the power of our national coaches to be stupid.
28 Oct 2012, 13:29 pm
1000
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