WP end Sharks' Currie Cup semifinal hopes

MATCH REPORT: The Western Province ended their Currie Cup season in sublime fashion, beating the Sharks 28-21 at the Davie Craven Stadium on Friday.

After a frustrating season which saw them miss out on the play-offs, the Western Province players produced a spirited display against a Sharks side boosted with United Rugby Champions veterans.

The Sharks had all to play for, a win would have seen them leapfrogged the Pumas in fourth place.

Both teams scored three tries a piece. However, it was the boot of WP centre Cornel Smit which proved to be the difference.

The centre added two conversions and three penalties to his team’s tally.

*To recap all the action CLICK HERE!!!

The Sharks enjoyed much possession and put the WP under of pressure in the opening minutes of the game.

However, they failed to convert their opportunities.

One should credit the WP’s defence, which showed great composer especially in exiting their own goal line.

The WP had a chance to open the score courtesy of a break by fullback Sergeal Petersen, who linked up with Ebenezer Tshimanga.

But a big hit from Cameron Wright on Thomas Bursey halted all their efforts.

WP managed to keep the Sharks inside their own half and after 20 minutes it was still scoreless at the Davie Craven Stadium.

The first points came from the boot of Western Province centre Cornel Smit who slotted a penalty after a period of pressure from his team.

The home side gradually gain momentum and were looking dangerous on the counter-attack.

However, the first try came from a patient build-up, with Sergeal Petersen getting on the end of a Tristan Leyds grubber to score.

They followed that up with a second soon afterwards, with scrumhalf Thomas Bursey nipping around a ruck in the 22 to go over.

That saw Western Province take a 15-0 lead into the half-time break, having made the most of their opportunities.

The visitors get on the scoreboard early in the second half with former Stomers’  man Sikhumbuzo Notshe forcing his way over next to the poles before lock Le Roux Roets went through to bring them within one point.

Western Province hit back with their third, with Petersen instrumental again as his grubber saw replacement scrumhalf Bobby Alexander dot down.

The see-saw battle continued with Sharks wing Marnus Potgieter scoring in the corner to bring them back within a point.

Another Smit penalty gave the home side a bit more breathing space heading into the last 10 minutes and added another after the hooter to seal the win.

Man of the match:  WP wing Ebenezer Tshimanga put in a great performance before he left the field prematurely due to a concussion. However, our nod goes to Sergeal Petersen. Playing much of the season at wing, Petersen donned the fullback jersey and produced a sublime performance. He was everywhere, setting up tries, scoring tries, while his defence was just as incredible.

The scorers:

For Western Province:
Tries: Petersen, Bursey, Alexander,
Cons: Smit 2
Pens: Smit 3

For the Sharks:
Tries: Notshe, Roets, Potgieter
Cons: Chamberlain 3

Teams: 

Western Province: 15 Sergeal Petersen, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 Cornel Smit, 12 Juan de Jongh (captain), 11 Ebenezer Tshimanga, 10 Tristan Leyds, 9 Thomas Bursey, 8 Keke Morabe, 7 Marcel Theunissen, 6 Shaine Orderson, 5 Ben-Jason Dixon, 4 Simon Miller, 3 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 2 Jacques van Zyl, 1 Ali Vermaak.
Replacements: 16 HP van Schoor, 17 Kwenzo Blose, 18 Leon Lyons, 19 Hilton Lobberts, 20 Jarrod Taylor, 21 Bobby Alexander, 22 Jonathan Roche, 23 Mnombo Zwelendaba.

Sharks: 15 Anthony Volmink, 14 Marnus Potgieter, 13 Jeremy Ward (captain), 12 Murray Koster, 11 Werner Kock, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Cameron Wright, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Jeandre Labuschagne, 6 Celimpilo Gumede, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Le Roux Roets, 3 Khutha Mchunu, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Dian Bleuler.
Replacements: 16 Dan Jooste, 17 Kwezi Mona, 18 Wiehahn Herbst, 19 Reniel Hugo, 20 OJ Noa, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Boeta Chamberlain, 23 Ben Tapuai.

Referee: AJ Jacobs
Assistant Referees: Morne Ferreira, Local
TMO: Egon Seconds

*Additional source @WP RUGBY