Coach John Dobson believes it would have been a considerable underachievement if Western Province had failed to secure a home semi-final.
Province faced the very real possibility of having to travel away for this weekend’s playoff when they trailed by 10 points after a disappointing first-half showing against the Sharks on Saturday.
In the end, WP finished with a flourish to claim a 31-20 victory that secured second place on the standings, and ultimately a home semi-final against the Golden Lions.
After the clash, Dobson admitted that sheer desperation to claim home-ground advantage had been a considerable motivating factor on Saturday.
‘We were under a lot of pressure for a home semi-final. I think we’re probably one of the better teams in the competition talent-wise, and so for us not to be at home in the semis would have been an underperformance. That’s why we were so desperate.’
By contrast, the Sharks came into the contest with top spot on the standings already assured, but Dobson admitted that WP had initially been ‘bullied’ by the home side.
‘I was impressed with the Sharks’ intensity for a dead-rubber, and after 20 minutes we were in a lot of trouble because of their sheer physicality and the momentum they were getting … In the end, though, I was just pleased by the way we withstood an onslaught against what I think is the best team in the competition.’
Although the Sharks and Province may be regarded as favourites to progress to next Saturday’s final, Dobson highlighted how the playoff stage could often offer up surprises.
‘In 2012, we snuck through to the final and then snatched the title. A year later we went unbeaten, but then Sharks came to Newlands and won the final. It’s a tough competition.’
Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
