WP secure semi-final place

Cape Town - Western Province advanced to the Vodacom Cup semi-finals thanks to a 47-22 (half-time 21-19) win over the Leopards XV in their quarter-final clash at City Park in Cape Town on Saturday.

Western Province were deserved winners of the contest as they ran in seven tries to three with the hosts turning in a string second-half performance which saw them outscore their opponents 26-3 in the second stanza.

Province made a fast start to the match thanks to a smart piece of work from scrumhalf Godlen Masimla who sniped over for a converted try in the fifth minute of the contest.

The hosts built on their good start when flank Justin Benn barrelled his way over for his first of two tries, in the 17th minute before the Leopards started to fight back with two converted tries from right wing Sergio Torrans as the visitors levelled the scores after 27 minutes.

Province gained the upper-hand once again, in a topsy-turvy half, as inside centre Robert du Preez grabbed a converted try.

But the Leopards continued to show their fighting spirit and they went to the break trailing by just two points thanks to an unconverted try from fullback Rhyno Smith shortly before the break.

Province began the second half much like they had started the contest and Benn went over for his second try just three minutes after the resumption of play as the home team moved to a 26-19 lead.

Leopards flyhalf Adriaan Engelbrecht narrowed the gap to four points with a 48th minute penalty.

But the home team finally put some broke away on the scoreboard, with 15 minutes left to play, thanks to a try from outside centre Jaco Taute who went over in the corner with flyhalf Jean-Luc Du Plessis slotting the difficult conversion.

The hosts then sealed an emphatic second-half performance when flank Tapiwa Tsomondo and fullback EW Viljoen both grabbing tries late in the half.

Western Province will play the Blue Bulls XV in the semi-final.

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