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
Pages: « 1 … 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 [21] 22 » Show All
28 Oct 2012, 13:29 pm
Proooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooovvvvvvvvvvvvviiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnnnnnncccccccccceeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Aaaah, what a sweet victory! That was a long time coming.
I hope they can build on this, a young team, with more and more talent coming through – here’s hoping for even bigger things to come!
Sharkie fan’s (or at least the 95% decent ones), commiserations. Somebody had to lose, but congrats on a good season.
28 Oct 2012, 13:30 pm
@mikeybrass-999:
There is always a surprise. Bok coaches will never let you down.
28 Oct 2012, 13:31 pm
@Nikita-987: over sensitive little molly coddled mommy’s boys can’t even take the heat of their own self righteous pollution so they chuck their fanny faced toys and head off over the horizon like the little over sensitive psyched out mommy’s boytjies they are.. shame.. now they done it because their huge big self effacing statement of contempt has put them in a place where they will have to back down off their highfalutin sharky self righteous high chair if they ever wanna be re assimilated in an environment of none PC straight laced honesty.. stupidity and sensitivity comes from the self same stable.. fake arsed goddamn self infatuated pseudo self righteous so called ego rampant ‘dignity’.
28 Oct 2012, 13:33 pm
@Transformation-1000:
That’s cheating!
1000 posts without any material help of Sharks or Bulls fans.
That’s gotta be a first.
28 Oct 2012, 13:33 pm
@cab-997: deon fourie is 1.77m & 100kg he won’t fit in heyneke meyer’s team where he needs forwards to be “big, strong & heavy”
this is the same reason the cullen of loosies was dropped for the mendoza test..
28 Oct 2012, 13:36 pm
@cab-997: @cab-998: absolutely correct.. the f’ng pathetic coach is an arsehole bar none.. everything he has ever done has been from being shown up as the goddamn dunce he is…all his selections thus far have been as a result of knee jerk reactionary over correction from the stuff up decisions he started with..
How come it takes an entire season of CC rugby for the reality to sink in the Fourie and De Jongh are by FAR the most influential players he could ever have picked.. and so too Kolisi who he sent back from Bok camp to get injured.??
This dunce is a Planck of epic proportions and I got very little confidence in this moron from here on out.
I bet you Fourie won’t be in his squad and if De Jongh is he will ride bench, he won’t start.
28 Oct 2012, 13:37 pm
@I am a stormer-1004:
sharkies are smarting boy…the wives nagging just sounds a littld more irritating today…
28 Oct 2012, 13:37 pm
@Transformation-1005: What is this “Cullen of loosies” nonsence?
I assume you refer to Daniels? He’s a decent player with some pace, but not exactly to be mentioned in the same breath as Cullen. He won’t embarres the Boks, but for me he is for sure not in the front of the line.
28 Oct 2012, 13:37 pm
@Transformation-1005:
You are probably right! Deon has been immense this season and that having to play loosie. He has been the top fetcher in the Currie Cup. Imagine him as 2 and Flouw at 6. Quite a combo when it comes to fetching in the UK.
28 Oct 2012, 13:38 pm
@Transformation-1007:
Laughing as I know that feeling too
28 Oct 2012, 13:49 pm
@wpjoulekkading-1008: I think it was HG who labelled Daniels the Christian Cullen of loosies
28 Oct 2012, 13:50 pm
@Transformation-1005: Deon Fourie is the perfect little pest
28 Oct 2012, 13:53 pm
@Transformation-1007:
That’s funny. I’ve often had to take the dogs for an extra long walk on a Sunday. I know that feeling well.
28 Oct 2012, 13:58 pm
@wpjoulekkading-1008: our resident sharky breekgat HG dubbed keegan “the christian cullen of loosies” only for keegan to be dropped cold by meyer!
anyone screaming for deon to tour must realise that a guy like keegan who’s had a far more outstanding season – super rugby & currie cup – is also not guaranteed a spot.
fourie can get a ticket in the place of burden who bombed on the big stage.
28 Oct 2012, 14:01 pm
New caps are:
Rhule, Mapoe, Botha, Franco Vd Merwe,
Schalk Brits in…
28 Oct 2012, 14:01 pm
Morne Steyn is in… and Arno Botha
28 Oct 2012, 14:01 pm
Schalk Brits in
28 Oct 2012, 14:02 pm
No place for Fourie…
28 Oct 2012, 14:02 pm
Guthro too
28 Oct 2012, 14:03 pm
guthro in
28 Oct 2012, 14:04 pm
Even if starts with JdJ on this tour, you can be sure he’ll be looking for another bigger centre. I can see him playing Taute at 15 to bring his game along.
28 Oct 2012, 14:05 pm
@grant10-1020:
Yes
28 Oct 2012, 14:06 pm
Rhule in….Mapoe in
No D Fourie
Bloody hell Heyneke man….
CJ VD Linde in
28 Oct 2012, 14:06 pm
@Heavens Game-943: Cheers HG. Spoken like a gentleman. Next year will be huge for both sides.
28 Oct 2012, 14:08 pm
When the fark are we ever going to settle the FB issue.
28 Oct 2012, 14:08 pm
I rate Schalk Brits but what message do you give to someone who is similar in stature and been so loyal to SA…
What more do you have to do Capie…
28 Oct 2012, 14:08 pm
The Springbok squad for the Castle Outgoing Tour to Ireland, Scotland and England:
Willem Alberts The Sharks Loose forward 17 Tests
Arno Botha Vodacom Blue Bulls Loose forward 0
Schalk Brits Saracens, England Hooker 3
Pat Cilliers MTN Golden Lions Prop 3
Marcell Coetzee The Sharks Loose forward 9
Juan de Jongh DHL Western Province Centre 12
Jean de Villiers (captain) DHL Western Province Centre 81
Jannie du Plessis The Sharks Prop 39
Eben Etzebeth DHL Western Province Lock 8
Francois Hougaard Vodacom Blue Bulls Scrumhalf / Wing 24
Elton Jantjies MTN Golden Lions Flyhalf 2
Zane Kirchner Vodacom Blue Bulls Fullback 21
Juandré Kruger Vodacom Blue Bulls Lock 5
Pat Lambie The Sharks Fullback 17
Francois Louw Bath, England Loose forward 14
Lionel Mapoe MTN Golden Lions Wing / Centre 0
Tendai Mtawarira The Sharks Prop 41
Lwazi Mvovo The Sharks Wing 7
Ruan Pienaar Ulster, N Ireland Scrumhalf 60
JP Pietersen The Sharks Wing / Centre 45
Chiliboy Ralepelle Vodacom Blue Bulls Hooker 21
Raymond Rhule Toyota FS Cheetahs Wing 0
Gurthrö Steenkamp Toulouse, France Prop 38
Morné Steyn Vodacom Blue Bulls Flyhalf 41
Adriaan Strauss Toyota FS Cheetahs Hooker 18
Jaco Taute MTN Golden Lions Utility back 2
CJ van der Linde MTN Golden Lions Prop 73
Flip van der Merwe Vodacom Blue Bulls Lock 20
Franco van der Merwe MTN Golden Lions Lock 0
Jano Vermaak Vodacom Blue Bulls Scrumhalf 0
Duane Vermeulen DHL Western Province No 8 4
28 Oct 2012, 14:09 pm
@965…I am a Stormer…watching the game I didn’t think we would win even though it was close, Stormers seemed to be covered in Fairy Dust and just looked so much better, even in the dieing seconds I had no confidence just hope.
@967…Bootjies….:mrgree: not hard when we didn’t deserve it.
@970…I am a Stormer… Thanks
28 Oct 2012, 14:10 pm
@Bagel-1027:
No complaints
28 Oct 2012, 14:10 pm
Morne Steyn poor on form and will start in tests…
Well we all know the coach and his love child…
28 Oct 2012, 14:10 pm
@Bagel-1027: Well I would have gone Fourie over Britz and so long as Morne isn’t starting I’m happy with that squad.
In fact props to Meyer for bringing back Gurthro.
Must say I’m very unconvinced by Marcell at international level, very average ball carrier (Don’t crucify me Sharks fans)
28 Oct 2012, 14:11 pm
rhule in, go oja boy!
28 Oct 2012, 14:12 pm
@Treehugger-1028:
You are by far my favourite Shark blogger…
Unbiased and honest at all times… Kudos lady…
28 Oct 2012, 14:12 pm
@Gumboots-1015:
I think HM has been quite bold in his selections by going for NH based players. And obviously Rhule and Mapoe might not be in the starting line-up but great to have in the mix.
We have to give the guy credit. The selections indicate that there might be a change of gameplan and more adventurous type of rugby. As long as there is no Morne Steyn.
And this could be the end of the road for Britney. With Arno Botha cracking a nod.
28 Oct 2012, 14:14 pm
@I am a stormer-1034:
Steyn will start – that is a guarentee. Arno way better than Britney and the reason for Britney trying to go oversees. He knows his time has come…
28 Oct 2012, 14:17 pm
@I am a stormer-1034:
Don’t be too sure about Spies. Arno is there because of a lack competing 8s.
As for Brits, I reckon HM should have gone with Fourie instead, as a locally based player.
28 Oct 2012, 14:22 pm
@Gumboots-1035:
Don’t know so much. Elton is the incumbent FH after Goosen’s injury at Soccer City. He deserves a start.
Rhule in place of Habana could be an exciting situation.
I’d go:
9 Ruan
10 Elton
11 Rhule
12 JDJ
13 JDV
14 JP Pietersen
15 Kirchner – HM will select him there for the experience factor. Although Taute would be my
favourite.
Hougaard would come off the bench.
28 Oct 2012, 14:22 pm
@I am a stormer-1034: @Bagel-1031:
In all honesty i think we will see Arno Botha used as open-side flanker…. young, big, stong and fast. Might just be the answer?
28 Oct 2012, 14:24 pm
This was the perfect time to give Morne’ Steyn an extended break.
28 Oct 2012, 14:24 pm
@David-1036:
HM doesn’t rate Spies. He has said as much. And Arno had a decent game for the U/21′s yesterday.
Spies, I reckon, might have slipped a notch in the pecking order at the Bulls even.
28 Oct 2012, 14:26 pm
@phil72-1038:
Don’t think so. I reckon Arno is there a the 2nd no.8.
The 2 7′s are Alberts and Coetzee – he won’t take one of their places.
28 Oct 2012, 14:27 pm
@Gumboots-1033: mention the Kings & she goes potty
28 Oct 2012, 14:28 pm
@I am a stormer-1037:
I hope you right. I know HM really likes Steyn and will do anything to have him start.
@phil72-1038:
I rate Arno highly. CJ is also a class loosie… A pity he is leaving…
28 Oct 2012, 14:29 pm
@I am a stormer-1040:
I don’t know about that. Remember he made him captain at the Bulls just before getting the Bok job. I doubt whether he’d have done that if he was thinking of dropping him for Arno.
28 Oct 2012, 14:29 pm
@I am a stormer-1041:
He is replacing an open side flank in Potgieter. Believe he might even start ahead of Alberts and Coetzee who were both comprehensively outplayed over the weekend…..
28 Oct 2012, 14:35 pm
@phil72-1045:
Blindside.
28 Oct 2012, 14:38 pm
@David-1044:
Before HM’s very first squad announcement he was asked by Ian Macintosh what his loosies combinations would look like. First name out of his mouth was Vermeulen. Spies, he said, doesn’t like the physical stuff – this from Heyneke. Arno Botha has right now leap frogged Spies.
@phil72-1045:
Thank god Potgieter didn’t crack the nod. I know you want him at 7. But don’t expect too surprises in the run-on 15. And not with a rookie. The Bok bench will look awesome.
28 Oct 2012, 14:43 pm
@David-1046:
Soory Blindside (not a fetcher more of a ball carrier)
28 Oct 2012, 14:46 pm
@I am a stormer-1047: your bok coach is a dunce.. he don’t know his arse from his elbow and its showing more often than not.
What more does Deon Fourie have to do to prove his by far the most prolific ground ball and in your face player in the country next to Bismark.. what?
Your coach first went with the combo of Spies, Potgieter, Coetsee
then he tried Albert, Potgieter, Daniel
He will start Strauss at 2 with Chili or Brits on bench when Fourie is better than all 3 of them
your coach is an absolute goddamn dunce.. I reckon if he lucky he wins 2 from 3 on tour. Perhaps only 1.
28 Oct 2012, 15:45 pm
Too much Bulls in that squad – way too much IMO.
Pages: « 1 … 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 [21] 22 » Show All
Have your say
You must be logged in to post a comment.