Western Province fought back to beat the Sharks 31-20 in Durban on Saturday and secure a home semi-final. JON CARDINELLI reports.
How did the Sharks let this one slip? The hosts led 13-3 at half-time, thanks to the power of their pack and the long-range kicking efforts of Curwin Bosch. After 55 minutes, they looked to be on course for their 11th straight victory.
The Sharks went into this game with nothing to gain. They had already secured top spot in the standings as well as a home semi-final.
By contrast, WP had everything to play for in the final clash of their round-robin campaign. That desperation was patent as they scored four tries in the latter stages of the contest to claim a bonus-point win as well as home advantage in the semi-finals.
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Robert du Preez finished the match with a personal tally of 21 points. The WP flyhalf scored two tries in the space of five minutes to help his side take the lead at a crucial stage of the game.
The momentum was with the Sharks in those final 20 minutes. A number of substitutions compromised the Sharks defence, and WP took full advantage. Dewaldt Duvenage’s try and Du Preez’s subsequent conversion all but secure the result for the visitors.
Kobus van Wyk scored after the full-time hooter and Bosch converted from the sideline. Some might say that the Sharks have lost momentum and that they may be susceptible in the semi-final at Kings Park next week.
On the other hand, the Sharks had nothing to gain from this match, and perhaps not much should be read into the result.
Sharks – Tries: Marius Louw, Kobus van Wyk. Conversions: Curwin Bosch (2). Penalty: Bosch. Drop goal: Bosch.
Western Province – Tries: Robert du Preez (2), Dewaldt Duvenage, JD Schickerling. Conversions: Du Preez (4). Penalty: Du Preez.
Sharks – 15 Garth April, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Marius Louw, 11 S’bu Nkosi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Michael Claassens, 8 Dan du Preez, 7 Jacques Vermeulen, 6 Keegan Daniel, 5 Ruan Botha (c), 4 Tyler Paul, 3 Ross Geldenhuys, 2 Franco Marais, 1 Thomas du Toit.
Subs: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 Jean Droste, 19 Tera Mtembu, 20 Louis Schreuder, 21 Tristan Blewett, 22 Kobus van Wyk.
Western Province – 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Ruhan Nel, 11 Dillyn Leyds, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Cobus Wiese, 6 Jaco Coetzee, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Chris van Zyl (c), 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Subs: 16 Ramone Samuels, 17 Caylib Oosthuizen, 18 Jan de Klerk, 19 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 20 Justin Phillips, 21 Werner Kok, 22 EW Viljoen.
Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
