Fullback Damian Willemse slotted a last-gasp penalty to hand Western Province a thrilling 46-45 bonus-point win over the Blue Bulls in Pretoria on Sunday.
WP led 43-38 with three minutes remaining, before a try from Bulls centre JT Jackson levelled the scores and flyhalf Tony Jantjies’ conversion put the hosts ahead.
But there would be another twist, as Province won a penalty after the restart, and Willemse, with his first kick of the match, held his nerve to snatch victory.
WP came into this game in third position on the log, three points behind the Cheetahs, with the Bulls – languishing at the foot of the standings – in desperate need of a win to keep their slim semi-final hopes alive.
The Bulls contributed greatly towards making it an entertaining affair, but in the end they had to settle for two bonus points.
The win moves Province up to second on the log and strengthens their bid to host a semi-final at Newlands in three weeks’ time.
In a lively start to the game, WP lock JD Schickerling and Bulls fullback Warrick Gelant scored converted tries.
The visitors would hit the front with a quick-fire 10-point haul from flyhalf Robert du Preez via a self-converted try and a penalty. But tries from forwards Nic de Jager and Edgar Marutlulle put the Bulls ahead 19-17 going into the break.
The second half was a frenetic affair.
Scores by Nizaam Carr, Seabelo Senatla and Huw Jones for WP, and touchdowns from Ivan van Zyl and Duncan Matthews for the Bulls saw the visitors leading 38-31 going into the last quarter.
Senatla then dotted down again to complete his brace, but the Bulls then dominated possession and were rewarded with a try from Ulrich Beyers.
That was followed by Jackson’s try and Jantjies’ conversion, before Willemse’s late heroics turned the match on its head.
Blue Bulls – Tries: Warrick Gelant, Nic de Jager, Edgar Marutlulle, Ivan van Zyl, Duncan Matthews, Ulrich Beyers, TJ Jackson. Conversions: Marnitz Boshoff (3), Tony Jantjies (2).
Western Province – Tries: JD Schickerling, Robert du Preez, Nizaam Carr, Seabelo Senatla (2), Huw Jones. Conversions: Du Preez (5). Penalties: Du Preez, Damian Willemse.
Blue Bulls – 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Duncan Matthews, 13 Burger Odendaal (c), 12 JT Jackson, 11 Johnny Kotze, 10 Marnitz Boshoff, 9 Ivan van Zyl, 8 Nic de Jager, 7 Tim Agaba, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Aston Fortuin, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Conraad van Vuuren, 2 Edgar Marutlulle, 1 Pierre Schoeman.
Subs: 16 Johan Grobbelaar, 17 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 18 Jano Venter, 19 Boom Prinsloo, 20 Piet van Zyl, 21 Tony Jantjies, 22 Ulrich Beyers.
Western Province – 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 EW Viljoen, 12 Huw Jones, 11 Werner Kok, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Cobus Wiese, 6 Jaco Coetzee, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Chris van Zyl (c), 3 Frans van Wyk, 2 Ramone Samuels, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Subs: 16 Dean Muir, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Jan de Klerk, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Dewaldt Duvenage, 22 Ruhan Nel.
Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images
