Player ratings: The Champions
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Western Province have held on against a spirited Golden Lions outfit to lift the trophy 19-16 at Newlands on Saturday.
Province began the stronger and raced to a 13-0 lead in the first half as the Lions looked blown away.
However, they soon clawed their way back and picked up some points and a try to make it close in the dying stages.
In the end, it fell to Marnitz Boshoff to kick a final penalty to draw the game, but it sailed wide and Western Province were left to celebrate
We rate Western Province
15 Cheslin Kolbe
Did not get as many chances to dance his way through the defence but was still very effective and solid in everything he did.
7/10
14 Kobus van Wyk
Had a fairly quiet game, but when he had his limited chances he looked deadly and powerful
6/10
13 Juan de Jongh (captain)
Another one who did not have his usual way in attack, but he was rock solid in defence and was a good link to the backs
7/10
12 Jaco Taute
Knocked on a certain try, but then again scored on – a mixed bag from a talented player.
5/10
11 Seabelo Senatla
Ball did not find its way to him very often but he was good on defence and really effective at the breakdown out wide.
6/10
10 Demetri Catrakilis
Had a particularly good kicking game which was coupled with his excellent decision making – led the team superbly.
8/10
9 Nic Groom
Nippy and fast, great decision making and set the tempo that WP played at – which was high!
8/10
8 Nizaam Carr
A fantastic all round game, the perfect No.8 performance as he linked up with the backs, attacked on his own and defended fantastically.
9/10
7 Michael Rhodes
Solid in defence as usual, abrasive and a hard edge that pushed the Lions back a few yards every collision
7/10
6 Rynhardt Elstadt
Partnered up with Rhodes in piling on the tackles and also made a difference at the breakdown in an unfamiliar open side position
7/10
5 Manuel Carizza
A solid game from the Argentinean, he was bust through out and made his presence known.
7/10
4 Jean Kleyn
Worked hard in the tighter phases but also looked impressive when he got the ball in hand or made spot tackles – a tower of strength
7/10
3 Pat Cilliers
Felt the brunt of the Lions pack, and then felt Craig Joubert baring down on him, was whipped off soon after half time
5/10
2 Siyabonga Ntubeni
Started the game with incredible energy seeming to be involved in everything but he slowed down as the game wore on
6/10
1 Alistair Vermaak
Had a tough time against the famed Lions scrum, but got some ascendency back as the game wore on – a tidy game
6/10
Replacements:
16 Neil Rautenbach (on for Ntubeni, 74 mins)
Not enough time to be rated.
17 Brok Harris (on for Cilliers, 50 mins)
Scrum seemed to solidify when he came on but did not have it all his own way.
6/10
18 Gerbrandt Grobler (on for Carizza, 69 mins)
Not enough time to be rated.
19 Sikhumbuzo Notshe (on for Rhodes, 75 mins)
Not enough time to be rated.
20 Louis Schreuder
Not used.
21 Kurt Coleman (on for Catrakilis, 75 mins)
Not enough time to be rated.
22 Michael van der Spuy
Not used.
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