Share

WP steal win at death in Bloem

Bloemfontein - Western Province remain the front runners in this year's Currie Cup competition after beating the Free State Cheetahs 34-29 in the side's encounter at the Free State stadium in Bloemfontein on Saturday afternoon.

Having lost only a single game this season, Province scored a try in the final minute via winger Kobus van Wyk to seal the result and put them in the pound seats for the coming semi-finals and possible final.

The Cheetahs, still in search of a semi-final birth, started well by putting Western Province under good pressure, especially from the driving maul.

Province started to build some rhythm of their own on the attack, but it was the Cheetahs who looked the better early on with flyhalf Willie du Plessis running straight through and converting his own try in the 13th minute to give the hosts the early lead.

The visitors responded with a try as Springbok centre Juan de Jongh thanks to some fancy footwork. Province flyhalf Demetri Catrakilis added the extras two points to draw the scores level.

But the Cheetahs were on the war path, with centre Joubert Engelbrecht rewarded with a five pointer in the 24th minute which Du Plessis converted after some good pressure by the hosts.

A penalty within striking distance allowed Catrakilis to reduce the deficit to just four points and they took the lead shortly after as hooker Scarra Ntubeni rounded off some good attacking play with a try right next to the uprights.

Catrakilis converted to give the visitors a lead of three points.

Western Province enjoyed an even bigger lead at half-time as De Jongh recovered a cross kick from Catrakilis after the hooter sounded, and converted to make the score 24-14 in favour of the visitors.

The Cheetahs got some valuable momentum shortly after the restart as eighth man Lappies Labuschagne ran around the Province defenders for a try.

Labuschagne got a gap as the visitors were short one player after De Jongh was sin binned.

Du Plessis missed with the conversion and the five point deficit was increased by Catrakilis with penalty kick.

The Cheetahs, however, tried everything in their power to reduce Province's lead and it paid dividends as centre Francois Venter scored for the hosts in the 59th minute.

Du Plessis kicked the conversion, leaving the Cheetahs just one point adrift.

Constant pressure by the Cheetahs led to a penalty within striking distance that Du Plessis slotted to give his side the lead by a mere two points with five minutes to play.

But Province sealed the game with a try by winger Kobus van Wyk under the uprights and replacement Kurt Coleman kicked the conversion to put the result beyond doubt.

Scorers:

Western Province 34 (24): Tries: Juan de Jongh (2), Scarra Ntubeni, Kobus van Wyk. Conversions: Demetri Catrakilis (3), Kurt Coleman. Penalties: Demitri Catrakilis (2).

Free State Cheetahs 29 (14): Tries: Willie du Plessis, Joubert Engelbrecht, Lappies Labuschagne, Francois Venter. Conversions: Willie du Plessis (3).

Penalties: Willie du Plessis.

Teams:

Free State Cheetahs

15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 JP Du Plessis,13 Francois Venter,12 Joubert Engelbrecht,11 Raymond Rhule,10 Willie du Plessis,9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Lappies Labuschagné,7 Neil Claassen,6 Tienie Burger,5 Francois Uys,4 Werner Lourens,3 George Marich,2 Torsten Van Jaarsveld (captain),1 Coenie Oosthuizen

Substitutes:16 Hercu Liebenberg, 17 Caylib Oosthuizen,19 Henco Venter,19 Vincent Jobo,20 Shaun Venter,21 Pieter-Steyn de Wet, 22 AJ Coertzen

Western Province
15 Dillyn Leyds, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Juan de Jongh (captain), 12 Jaco Taute, 11 Pat Howard, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Michael Rhodes, 6 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 5 Manuel Carizza, 4 Rynhardt Elstadt, 3 Pat Cilliers, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Alistair Vermaak

Substitutes: 16. Neil Rautenbach, 17. Brok Harris, 18. Oli Kebble, 19. Jurie van Vuuren, 20. Louis Schreuder, 21. Kurt Coleman, 22. Michael van der Spuy
We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1470 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2247 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE