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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27 Oct 2012, 19:09 pm
What great talent we have in this country…if only the coaches will recognise it and allow them to develop…
In youngsters like Etzebeth and Lambie the Springboks have a FANTASTIC future…
Lambie to be Bok flyhalf and Etzebeth to become the greatest Springbok lock ever to play the game…
27 Oct 2012, 19:09 pm
@umfezi-340: Said like a rugby man, the players you listed made the difference. JdJ try gave province the belief they could win
27 Oct 2012, 19:09 pm
If JdJ isn’t in the tour squad……
27 Oct 2012, 19:10 pm
@digger-342:
The problem with HM is he cant look past a player who is shorter or smaller
He cant see their skills or value to a team
He is the same with Daniels
27 Oct 2012, 19:10 pm
I´m outta here. Have some sorrows to drown. Enjoy your celebrations Weepees! Until next year…
27 Oct 2012, 19:10 pm
@Transformation-300:
Yhu! Incedile iProvince iphumelele, besizoba yintoni ngabalandeli be Sharks…
27 Oct 2012, 19:10 pm
@WP-Forever-351: Eben crunched the Sharks lineout. He is the mix of Victor & Bakkies we have cried out for.
27 Oct 2012, 19:11 pm
Awesome man, awesome. So happy.
27 Oct 2012, 19:12 pm
@CoachPete-354: Sigh, I agree! Pity though Province with a fair number of “midgets” won the day. Fourie, Ntubeni, JdJ, Pieterson and Aplon are all considered midgets yet JdJ’s defence is one of the reasons Province won
27 Oct 2012, 19:12 pm
Eben showed bresler who is baas
27 Oct 2012, 19:12 pm
No coach, later.
27 Oct 2012, 19:12 pm
Western Province 2012 Currie Cup Champions, U/19 Champions and U/21 Runners Up…
Fantastic work, Western Province Rugby Football Union.
Absolutely bloody fantastic.
27 Oct 2012, 19:13 pm
@Transformation-360: Did Bresler play today?
27 Oct 2012, 19:13 pm
@digger-359: no one gets through JdJ., not for 3 years straight.
This obsession with size is what lets the Boks down.
27 Oct 2012, 19:13 pm
@Transformation-360: Eben showed everyone who is baas.
For a 20 year old he has a big career waiting.
27 Oct 2012, 19:14 pm
@WP-Forever-362: And only U/21 runners-up ’cause half the team was busy winning the CC
27 Oct 2012, 19:14 pm
@WP-Forever-362:
Add to that Super 15 South African conference winners and semi-finalists…and it’s been a very, very good year for the WPRFU.
The most successful union in the country this year?
27 Oct 2012, 19:14 pm
@stormersboy-365: He is a freak. Thank god he is with us.
27 Oct 2012, 19:14 pm
just have to say… today was our day…
and…
this year was indeed OUR YEAR…!!???
well done WP… enjoy it all my brother and sister WP supporters…
let’s show some dignity and grace in victory too…!!
commiserations once again Sharks and their supporters…
27 Oct 2012, 19:15 pm
@digger-359:
yeah i forgot to add Fourie Would have been a great addition tot he bok bench where apart form playing 2 he can cover flank
and yes Aplon
I keep hearing to skinny under the high ball, but he has so many other skills
27 Oct 2012, 19:15 pm
@stormersboy-365:
He has the pedigree.
And he is an extremely focused, hard-working young lad.
He will be a legend.
27 Oct 2012, 19:15 pm
@stormersboy-334:
Yeah. Heavens Game…..?
27 Oct 2012, 19:15 pm
@mikeybrass-364: Not only can he defend, the boy can STEP! Yes I had to use caps, he was magic today.
27 Oct 2012, 19:15 pm
@WP-Forever-367: But but but our bubble was meant to have popped in round 1 of the Super, or was it round 7 or 12, I forget
27 Oct 2012, 19:16 pm
@digger-373: Best attacking centre in the land bar none.
27 Oct 2012, 19:16 pm
Am out guys, going to watch the last bit of sun setting with a satisfied grin and a beer! PROOOVINCE!!!
27 Oct 2012, 19:16 pm
Wanted to bugger off but just want to say that SA rugby has a great near future ahead. Cheers all. Enjoy your babalaas tomorrow!
27 Oct 2012, 19:16 pm
@Dawn-361:
Do you watch baseball?
I hope you are a SF giants fan
27 Oct 2012, 19:16 pm
@Transformation-360:
To think that Bressler was being touted as a Bok. One eyed ex-Rhodies.
27 Oct 2012, 19:17 pm
@digger-376: It’s pouring rain and feeezing over here in Mud Island. Our victory has warmed the cockels
27 Oct 2012, 19:17 pm
WP, djou lekka ding!
WP, djou lekka ding!
Die Currie Cup kom weer!
27 Oct 2012, 19:17 pm
@David-372: He doesn’t have the balls, grace or emotional intelligence to deal with this site like a man.
He is the chief reason that the Sharkies on this site will be given a pasting for the near future.
27 Oct 2012, 19:17 pm
Sharks toothless without Mark Lawrence. He will have to reconsider his retirement.
27 Oct 2012, 19:18 pm
Where was Paul Jordaan today? Heard all week that he should be in the bok touring squad… Didn’t look it today. Craig Burden got his arse handed to him by an u21 hooker.
27 Oct 2012, 19:19 pm
After Fourie performance today, who does AC leave out next year when Burger and Kolisi returns?
27 Oct 2012, 19:19 pm
@mxhosa-384:
Maybe Fourie should be touring…. as a hooker
27 Oct 2012, 19:19 pm
@stormersboy-382:
true words
27 Oct 2012, 19:19 pm
The Province front row – with a average age just north of 20 years old – really did a good job!
27 Oct 2012, 19:20 pm
Gareth Duncan, WP were dominating the Beast and the Doc at scrum time by the time the game finished.
27 Oct 2012, 19:20 pm
I am happy Kitrakilis is playing for EP next season. I initially thought was not a great buy but, boy, he layed to rest all my reservations today.
27 Oct 2012, 19:21 pm
With Goosen injured and Steyn off form, Lambie has to be picked as the Springbok flyhalf.
27 Oct 2012, 19:21 pm
I thought I’d have a look at this site to read Heavens Game,Tacitus and the guy with the long name with Western Province in it being good sportsmen. Of course they’re not,so they’ve disappeared.
Well done Province and the Sharks; of individual players – especially Katrakilis,Etsebeth and Lambie.
27 Oct 2012, 19:21 pm
@RainbowBanana-385: Keep Fourie at 6, Burger and Kolisi to alternate at 7. Duane and Carr for 8. Elstadt lock cover rotation.
27 Oct 2012, 19:22 pm
@CoachPete-386: Fourie showed that dominating a collison doesn’t equate to winning the ball.
27 Oct 2012, 19:23 pm
@mikeybrass-393:
I say put him back at 2 that gives you the extra lose forward at the breakdown winning ball
27 Oct 2012, 19:23 pm
Heavens Game, where are you?
Rangerman, where are you?
Brokeback se GAT!!!
27 Oct 2012, 19:23 pm
@mxhosa-384: Scar is coming on in leaps and bounds.
@Peter Mkata-390: He will do well under Alan Solomons.
27 Oct 2012, 19:24 pm
@CoachPete-395: I don’t think his scrummaging is powerful enough for 2. 6 is his real forte.
27 Oct 2012, 19:25 pm
@mikeybrass-393:
I do like the idea of rotating You could always have him fill in at 6 a few games
27 Oct 2012, 19:26 pm
I am so glad for Alister Coezee
What a coach!
And also one of the the biggest gentlemen SA rugby.
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