Western Province (WP) came close to suffering an embarrassing loss in their Currie Cup match against the Eagles on Saturday. Although they ultimately won 29-24, they stared down the barrel of defeat for a large part of the second half.
In truth, the home side was always going to take the field in a deflated frame of mind after hearing shortly before kick-off that their slim chances of making it into the Currie Cup final had disappeared with the Sharks’ win over the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.
But the sense of anti-climax almost took on massive proportions. The first half produced some of the most putrid rugby seen at Newlands for some time, with the teams going into the break at 3-3.
Province, perhaps, had the better of the exchanges, but were undone by the number of mistakes they made in the Eagles’ 22m area.
The second half, however, produced just what the match needed, with two converted tries in the first five minutes by lively flank Kabamba Floors and number eight Hendry Rheeders giving the minnows from George a shock 17-3 lead.
For the best part of the second half it looked as if they were going to hold on for a win, but WP flyhalf Chris Rossouw slipped through a gap in the 63rd minute and off-loaded to right wing Egon Seconds, who touched down.
Then scrumhalf Bolla Conradie went over after another WP foray. Rossouw converted and there were only two points in it.
Suddenly there was an air of inevitability about the outcome and fullback Gaffie du Toit took the ball at pace from centre Joos Joubert to score WP’s third try.
But the Eagles were determined to provide a twist in the tale, with fullback Bevan Fortuin setting up lock Bloues Volschenk for a try under the posts with only five minutes remaining. Scrumhalf Noel Oelschig converted and the Eagles led by two.
The mastermind of WP captain Pieter Rossouw, however, ultimately determined the result. Province’s left wing changed direction, allowing replacement loose forward Pierre Uys to take advantage of the overlap. Du Toit’s conversion made it 29-24.
For WP it was a narrow, and certainly undeserved, escape. The Eagles had WP on the rack at times and the home side made numerous errors.
Floors, centre Gavin Hulme and fullback Bevan Fortuin were all in good nick for the Eagles. Province, however, would rather forget this encounter, which hardly provided a fitting farewell for Cobus Visagie, Robbie Fleck and Hottie Louw, let alone a celebration of Adri Badenhorst’s 50th cap. — Sapa
Scorers:
Western Province: Tries: Right wing Egon Seconds, scrumhalf Bolla Conradie, fullback Gaffie du Toit, replacement loose forward Pierre Uys. Conversions: Flyhalf Chris Rossouw, fullback Gaffie du Toit (2). Penalties: Rossouw.
Eagles: Tries: Flank Kabamba Floors, No 8 Hendry Rheeders, lock Bloues Volschenk. Conversions: Scrumhalf Noel Oelschig (3). Penalties: Oelschig.