THURSDAY, 12.00NOON:
WESTERN Province triumphed in the Nite Series rugby final against Boland, when they won 36-25 at Newlands in Cape Town on Wednesday night.
Province led 19-10 at half time, and then kept the lead despite a concerted effort by Boland in the second half. Province had five tries from Pieter Rossouw, Robbie Fleck, Justin Swart and Andrew Aitken, three of which were converted by stand in flyhalf Percy Montgomery, who also notched up a penalty.
Boland had three tries from Jan Ackerman, Jannie Coetzee and Pieter O’Neill, who also posted a penalty and converted two tries. Marius Goosen added another penalty, but it wasn’t enough to catch up with Province.
Springbok Justin Swart was named Player of the Nite Series for his contribution to Western Province rugby, and Boland’s Nick Mallet was named Coach of the Series. World Cup Sevens player Jeffrey Stevens was given the Most Outstanding Performance award. WP centre Percival Montgomery shared the Most Promising Player award with Boland wing McNeil Hendricks, while WP flyhalf Vlok Cilliers was named the top points scorer.
SPORT BRIEFS
LANGE PULLED OUT CYCLIST Malcolm Lange was pulled off the circuit by officials on Wednesday in the Tour of Japan cycle race. “I was well within the time cut-off so I’m not sure why they pulled me off. It’s a bit of a cock-up,” Lange said. He added that he may have to give up hopes of winning, but will put in pace work to keep team-member Ricardo Ferrari up front. Lange was also taken out of the specialist hotspots race, with no reason given.
SWANEPOEL BANNED FREE STATE scrumhalf Werner Swanepoel has been given a one-match suspension after picking up his third yellow card in the Super 12 match against the Canterbury Crusaders on Saturday. Kat Myburgh will take his place in the match against the Blue Bulls on Friday.
COETZER HONOURED SOUTH AFRICAN Amanda Coetzer was named Women’s Tennis Association’s player of the month for April, after she won 12 singles matches, and her first 1997 singles title in Budapest. Coetzer donated the $1000 prize money to The Amanda Coetzer Learn Tennis, Love Tennis project in the Free State.
FIGHTER OF THE YEAR SA’S world juniorfeatherweight champion Vuyani Bungu was named the International Boxing Federations’s fighter of the year. Lightweight champion Phillip Holiday was awarded the most improved fighter of 1996. Both boxers will fly to Texas to receive their awards later this month.