It’s a good day for Province at the Green Point track ...
WESTERN PROVINCE dominated the Cheetahs 26-0 at the Green Point track yesterday to reach the semi-finals of the Supersport Challenge.
WP used their home advantage, and knowledge of the inclement weather conditions, superbly. Unbeaten through their eight group stage games, Western Province have now surged into the semifinals with ease, and have even given up their right to host the semifinals in favour of taking the game to the people of Eastern Cape, where they will play their old foes, the Blue Bulls.
Close to 14 000 spectators packed the Mdantsane venue during a recent Rugby Festival and another bumper crowd is expected this weekend for the WP-Bulls clash.
The semifinals will be played as a double header at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium, with the Lions facing Griquas before the Bulls take on WP.
In wet and difficult conditions, centre Michael Hazner and wing Bjorn Basson scored tries for WP, while flyhalf Brandon Thomson kicked two conversions and a penalty. Flyhalf Kurt Coleman added three penalties.
The opening quarterfinal game on Saturday was a high scoring one as the Lions overcame a spirited Pumas side 43-32 in Johannesburg. The Lions finished top of the North conference, with only one loss, and were paired up with the third placed Pumas in the same group.
Ten tries were scored, six by the victorious Lions as Jarryd Sage and Robert Kruger grabbed a brace each.
In the later game on Saturday, Griquas wing Enver Brandt shone brightly for the Kimberly side, running in four tries as the Kings were routed 73-41 in Kimberley. Griquas scored a total of 11 tries, with the help of Brandt’s four, as the points flowed between these two attacking sides.
In yesterday’s first match at Green Point track, the Blue Bulls dug deep to batter the Sharks into submission, winning their match 23-18 after a cagey halftime score of 9-3. The weather did not help matters as the rain came down heavily, forcing the game into a true play-off mindset.
The Sharks scored three tries to the Bulls’ two, but Tinus de Beer’s three penalties and accurate kicking proved to be the deciding factor.