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Robert du Preez shows 'old man' what he can do

Cape Town - Western Province's second-half comeback against the Sharks in Durban on Saturday was largely inspired by flyhalf Robert du Preez.

The 24-year-old scored two tries and finished with 21 points as he orchestrated the Sharks' first defeat in 11 Currie Cup matches. 

Du Preez's father, also Robert du Preez, looked on as Sharks coach as his oldest son shone and booked Western Province a home semi-final against the Golden Lions in Cape Town this weekend. 

Du Preez has been heavily linked with a move to the Sharks next year to join his father and younger brothers Jean-Luc and Dan du Preez at Kings Park, and Western Province coach John Dobson said his young flyhalf had been desperate to put in a big performance on Saturday.

"Rob obviously had a lot riding on this game. If it is true that he is coming here, then he is obviously playing for a place here," Dobson said.

"The way he was going in Super Rugby, he was probably an end-of-year tour candidate before he got injured."

Dobson said the Province boys had been coming hard at Du Preez throughout the week, and it had spurred him on during the match.

"I don't know if you guys heard it, but after he scored his first try under the posts (referee Jaco) Peyper had to tell him: 'Calm down, behave yourself or else I'm canceling the try'.

"It was good for him."

Sharks coach Du Preez was also pleased by what he saw from his son.

"He played really well. He likes to do that when he plays against his father," the coach said.

If Du Preez does move to the Sharks, he will have the highly-rated Curwin Bosch to contend with for a No 10 starting berth. 

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