The absence of Jean de Villiers may have cost Western Province a place in the Currie Cup semifinals. It came as a surprise when flanker Schalk Burger led Province on to the field against the Boland Kavaliers on Saturday afternoon.
Rumour had it that Springbok coach Peter de Villiers said De Villiers would not go on the year-end tour had he played on Saturday. This could, however, not be confirmed.
Province failed to secure a bonus-point try when they beat Boland 23-7 after trailing 6-7 at the interval.
Had De Villiers played, the outcome could have been a totally different story.
Province were first to score when flyhalf Peter Grant succeeded with a penalty in the second minute.
Grant made it 6-0 in the 25th minute after another penalty.
Although Province had the most possession, the Kavaliers tackled their hearts out.
Seconds before the half-time whistle the home team were rewarded for some excellent play when left wing Danwel Demas scored under the post after centre Piet van Zyl set up the movement. Fullback Justin Peach succeeded with the easy conversion.
It was a desperate Province who came out in the second half. Centre Sireli Naqelevuki scored the second minute after half-time with Grant’s conversion striking the upright (11-7).
Six minutes later number eight Luke Watson scored after the Province pack drove Boland over their tryline. Morgan Newman added the extra two points (18-7).
In the 60th minute a Province try was a begging, but Burger was bundled out on the corner flag.
Five minutes later a Wylie Human try was disallowed when the TMO indicated that the final pass to the winger was forward.
Five minute from the end Naqelevuki scored again after fine handling to make the score 23-7. — Sapa