WP to host Pumas in Final
Western Province will host a first-ever Vodacom Cup Final, after the Men in blue & white hoops defeated the Blue Bulls 10-6 in a hard-fought semifinal at Newlands on Saturday.
A first-half try by Sikhumbuzo Notshe and a conversion by flyhalf Jean-Luc du Plessis, as well as an earlier penalty by the No.10, was enough to put the hosts into their second final in four seasons.
It was not easy, however, as the Bulls meant business on the day and the in-game weather conditions did not allow for an open match either.
Notshe and centre Jaco Taute made some promising runs for the hosts, who tried valiantly to run the ball wide in trying conditions underfoot.
Du Plessis, and inside centre Robert du Preez, who replaced him at pivot late in the second half when he limped off the field with what looked like a hand injury, used their centres in the second half – despite the heavy underfoot conditions.
Taute, meanwhile, created excellent forward momentum for Western Province and asked constant questions of the Bulls' first line of defence with a number of strong carries.
Before Saturday's semifinal clash, the two teams had met nine times in this competition, with the Vodacom Bulls winning six games and Western Province three.
Province won the last encounter between these sides, by 16-8 in Pretoria in 2011.
Western Province will take on the Pumas in next week's Final, the from Nelspruit having beaten the Golden Lions by 43-20 in Friday's first semifinal.
WP won the Vodacom Cup for the first time – and, to date, only time – in 2012, under the coaching of John Dobson and Dawie Snyman.
The duo, who are still in charge, will be looking to add to their trophy tally before taking over the reigns of the Currie Cup side later this year.
The scorers:
For Western Province:
Try: Notshe
Con: J du Plessis
Pen: J du Plessis
For the Blue Bulls:
Pens: Marais 2
The teams:
Western Province: 15 EW Viljoen, 14 Pat Howard, 13 Jaco Taute, 12 Robert du Preez, 11 Tshotsho Mbovane, 10 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 9 Godlen Masimla, 8 Rayn Smid, 7 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 6 Tapiwa Tsomondo, 5 Chris van Zyl, 4 Jan de Klerk, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Michael Willemse (captain), 1 Sithembiso Sithole.
Replacements: 16 Charlton van Jaarsveld, 17 Deacon Chowles, 18 Wilhelm van der Sluys, 19 Justin Benn, 20 Justin Phillips, 21 Kyle Lombard, 22 Willy Ambaka.
Blue Bulls: 15 Akona Ndungane, 14 Jade Stigling, 13 William Small-Smith, 12 Daniel Kriel, 11 Jamba Olengo, 10 Kobus Marais, 9 Juan Smith, 8 Clyde Davids, 7 Nardus van der Walt, 6 Wiaan Liebenberg, 5 Marvin Orie (captain), 4 Nqubeko Zulu, 3 Andrew Beerwinkel, 2 Arno van Wyk, 1 Basil Short.
Replacements: 16 Corniel Els, 17 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 18 Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg, 19 Roelof Smit, 20 Kefentse Mahlo, 21 Josh Stander, 22 Marquit September.
Referee: Lesego Legoete
Assistant referees: Quinton Immelman, Rodney Boneparte Rodney
TMO: Deon van Blommestein
Source: @WP_RUGBY
