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

Pages: « 1 2 [3] 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 … 22 » Show All

  • 101.SodaJoe: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 17:52 pm

    anyone got a recommendation for a high quality web stream?

  • 102.Dusky: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 17:52 pm

    @mikeybrass-98: I agree. Heyneke Meyer doesn’t though.

  • 103.mikeybrass: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 17:52 pm

    @Dawn-97: Not us WP supporters.

  • 104.mikeybrass: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 17:53 pm

    @Dusky-102: Meyer has got learning to do, like Mallett over Breyton.

  • 105.Dusky: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 17:54 pm

    @Golden Boy-99: What more can be said other than WP are playing well. There are 40 minutes left though :-)

  • 106.Golden Boy: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 17:54 pm

    96. But this one is even better… The Capes very own version of a p@&$ Klap ;-)

  • 107.Dusky: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 17:55 pm

    @Golden Boy-106: Looked like a classic poor tackle from Keegan to me.

  • 108.Golden Boy: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 17:56 pm

    Oh Peyper doing it for WP now!!! Hehehe

  • 109.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 17:57 pm

    Watsup Dusky

  • 110.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 17:57 pm

    @mikeybrass-98:
    international centers across the board to my mind seem a lot bigger, so there’s an obvious problem there. and we know how the coach feels about size and weight.

    especially against nz i would be hesitant to play him.

  • 111.Golden Boy: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 17:57 pm

    107. Hopefully Peyper doesn’t stuff up the second half.

    Great scrum Sharks!!!!!

  • 112.W.P: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 17:58 pm

    Can the Beast ever scrum straight?

  • 113.Dummy Runner: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 17:58 pm

    Comon ginger!tame the beast.

  • 114.AssassinWP: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 17:58 pm

    Knock on from Marcel Coetzee into Whitehead ahead of him on the floor,Whitehead gathers its a PENALTY Wp now the Sharks have a penalty???

  • 115.Golden Boy: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 17:59 pm

    Sharks are looking good in the scrum and WP at the line outs…who will blink first… The Lamb having a good game too.

  • 116.cuntlyn: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 17:59 pm

    Lambie. De Jongh. Pls Heineke

  • 117.kaksioek: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 17:59 pm

    Apart from the try, WP have not been impressive. Sharks to stroll home.

  • 118.David: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 18:00 pm

    @i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-110:
    Conrad Smith and BOD are the 2 leading 13s, and both small.

  • 119.katman: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 18:01 pm

    I must say, the WP fans here are doing themselves no favours with all this bitching about the ref and whatnot. As a neutral viewer is clear that Peyper is completely unbiased.

  • 120.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 18:02 pm

    lots of kak calls from the ref today.

    i hate all this kicking.

  • 121.mikeybrass: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 18:02 pm

    @i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-110: Not me. Not in the slightest. JdJ has handled all the Kiwi and Aussie centres.

  • 122.kaksioek: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 18:03 pm

    Brilliant by Whitehead.

  • 123.Golden Boy: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 18:04 pm

    Easily the worst call of the game…not released in the tackle!?!?!? Hahahahaha

  • 124.W.P: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 18:05 pm

    Jaco Pyper is piss poor!!!! FFS!!!!!!!

  • 125.kaksioek: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 18:05 pm

    Nonu will make mincemeat out of JdJ.

  • 126.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 18:06 pm

    Another rerrible penalty decision from Peyper. Too many for a CC final.

  • 127.David: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 18:06 pm

    @kaksioek-125:
    Nonu is a 12.

  • 128.Golden Boy: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 18:07 pm

    Lost forward!!!!!!

  • 129.Lions_Soutie: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 18:07 pm

    Reinacht is having a **** game

  • 130.AssassinWP: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 18:07 pm

    Knock on JP Pietersen??????again

  • 131.mxhosa: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 18:07 pm

    Jacques Nienaber take a bow!

  • 132.AssassinWP: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 18:08 pm

    How is this Ref missing all this????

  • 133.kaksioek: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 18:08 pm

    @David-127: Exactly.

  • 134.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 18:08 pm

    really too many kak calls by the officials today.

    same as the semi.

  • 135.mikeybrass: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 18:08 pm

    @kaksioek-125: JdJ has seen him off when JdJ played 12 in 2010.
    No one has made mincemeat of JdJ. Ever.

  • 136.W.P: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 18:09 pm

    Sorry Katman that one phase of play was poorly handled by Peyper.

  • 137.mikeybrass: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 18:09 pm

    @i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-134: Pepyer is having a terrible game.

  • 138.XhosaKid: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 18:10 pm

    JdJ made his debut against Jamie Roberts, and scored a brilliant try

  • 139.katman: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 18:10 pm

    Shut up about the ref already, you fcken girls. He missed the JPP knock which is understandable as he was on the other side. The rest is all in your nerve wracked minds.

  • 140.mikeybrass: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 18:10 pm

    Jaco strikes again

  • 141.Treehugger: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 18:10 pm

    Province defense is really strong.

  • 142.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 18:11 pm

    Terrible match by Peyper

  • 143.W.P: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 18:11 pm

    Fark Peyper handing it to the Sharks

  • 144.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 18:11 pm

    @David-118:
    smith must be close to a 100 kg?

  • 145.AssassinWP: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 18:11 pm

    How can Malherbe move if Sykes falls directly on him???this ref well done

  • 146.rossoneri: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 18:11 pm

    Peyper working hard for the Sharks.

  • 147.mikeybrass: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 18:11 pm

    @katman-139: Uh huh.

  • 148.Lions_Soutie: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 18:12 pm

    Bring McLoud on qui

  • 149.LoanShark: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 18:12 pm

    Have a bad feeling about this one!!!!!!!!!!!

  • 150.rossoneri: Reply to this comment
    27 Oct 2012, 18:13 pm

    Dissapointed with Peyper. He is spoiling the game.

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