WP overpower Sharks

Western Province boosted their play-off chances after an impressive 37-27 bonus-point win over Sharks in Durban on Saturday.

The Cape side ran in four tries to the Sharks' two in a game which saw both teams penalised on a number of occasions for breakdown indiscretions. WP's scrum dominance towards the end of the game was also key to the away team's victory in the Shark tank.

The Sharks got the early advantage after WP prop Wilco Louw was penalised in the game's first scrum. Joe Pietersen converted the penalty from right in front to give his team the lead. 

However, the lead was short-lived after some indiscipline allowed the visitors to make their way into the Sharks' 22 and after a quick tap from captain Nic Groom the ball was sent wide with Seabelo Senatla who got the game's first try in the corner. Robert du Preez converted and WP were 7-3 in front after seven minutes.

Both teams then exchanged penalties, but it was Province who looked the more dangerous team with ball in hand in that opening 15 minutes. Despite dominating the possession stats, WP could not add to their lead and it was the Sharks who reduced the deficit to just one point after another Pietersen penalty in the 26th minute.

The Sharks were in the ascendancy in the final ten minutes of the first half and turned the game on its head in the 35th minute after centre Andre Esterhuizen finished off a great attacking move with a try in the corner. Pietersen could not convert, but the home side were four points in front with the score reading 14-10. 

Pietersen gave his team a 17-10 lead just before half-time with another penalty – this after a turnover deep in the Sharks' half saw flank Jean-Luc du Preez beat a number of WP defenders in a great counterattack which was started by the Sharks' flyhalf.

The scores were level just three minutes into second half after Rynhardt Elstadt finished off a great move from a line-out. Chris Cloete found himself in space after some trickery at the set piece just outside the Sharks' 22. The ball then worked its way out to fellow flank Elstadt who bulldozed his way over for the score.

WP then took the lead four minutes later after wing Dillyn Leyds was into space for an easy run in for his team's third try. Du Preez added the extras to make it 24-17 in favour of the away team.

After Pietersen reduced the deficit with another penalty, WP again found holes in the Sharks' defence with Sikhumbuzo Notshe showing his pace through a gap with the ball eventually finding its way to replacement hooker Bongi Mbonambi who ran in for his team's fourth and bonus-point try in the 53rd minute.

After a Du Preez penalty, the Sharks' then hit back immediately with some rare front-foot ball in the WP 22-metre area with ball being given some width and fullback Odwa Ndungane broke through the WP defence for a try. Pietersen converted to bring his team within seven points with just under 20 minutes remaining.

With the home side's scrum starting to disintegrate due WP's superior front row replacements, it was all about minimising mistakes for the Sharks in the closing stages. However, it was from a scrum penalty in the Sharks' 22 where WP closed out the game in the 78th minute with Demetri Catrakilis putting the game out of reach with another three points.

Man of the match: There were a number of contenders for this award. For the Sharks Jean-Luc du Preez and Andre Esterhuizen were strong in the collisions, while Joe Pietersen was fantastic with his goal kicking and direction in play. For Western Province Rynhardt Elstadt was a demon with ball in hand, while the same could be said for Sikhumbuzo Notshe. However, our award goes to flyhalf Robert du Preez who was fantastic on attack and accurate with the boot.

Scorers:

For Sharks:

Tries: Esterhuizen, Ndungane

Cons: Pietersen

Pens: Pietersen 5

For WP:

Tries: Senatla, Elstadt, Leyds, Mbonambi

Con: Du Preez 4

Pens: Du Preez 2, Catrakilis

Teams:

Sharks: 15 Odwa Ndungane, 14 Wandile Mjekevu, 13 Paul Jordaan, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Sibusiso Sithole, 10 Joe Pietersen, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Francois Kleinhans, 5 Marco Wentzel (captain), 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Gerhard Engelbrecht, 2 Monde Hadebe, 1 Thomas du Toit.

Replacements: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Dale Chadwick, 18 Dave McDuling, 19 Christiaan de Bruyn, 20 Michael Claassens, 21 Heimar Williams, 22 Garth April.

Western Province: 15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Dillyn Leyds, 13 Johnny Kotze, 12 Huw Jones, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Nic Groom (captain), 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Rynhardt Elstadt, 6 Chris Cloete, 5 Ruan Botha, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Steven Kitshoff.

Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Oliver Kebble, 18 Chris van Zyl, 19 Jurie van Vuuren, 20 Jano Vermaak, 21 Demetri Catrakilis, 22 Kobus van Wyk.

Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge

Assistant referees: Cwengile Jadezweni, Sindile Ngcese

TMO: Willie Vos