At one stage, the Western Province-Pumas Currie Cup game on Saturday was worse than waiting for your wi-fi to buffer your favourite music video.
On a cold and windy evening at Newlands, it needed a moment of magic from Province centre Huw Jones to light up what was otherwise a dreary game that won’t be remembered for too long by the brave 6 834 souls who made it to the old ground as WP ground out a 31-23 victory.
Scotland international Jones was set free by Blitzbok star Werner Kok with a wonderful offload, and the WP No 12 first burst through two Pumas before he went on a mazy run, hot-stepping his way past three defenders to score under the posts.
It underlined the undoubted class that the 22-year-old displayed during Super Rugby for the Stormers, and it is actually a pity that he is no longer eligible for the Springboks – as they could really do with a centre who can cut the line with pace and panache.
That try came in the 56th minute after a long slog where Province had dominated territory and possession, but were unable to get across the line after Kok had opened the try column in the first half.
Star No 8 Nizaam Carr, who made his first appearance of the competition after a shoulder injury, was one of the few WP players to impress throughout, and he delivered a superb pass in the tackle to Jones, who again put on some classy footwork before putting Kok away in the corner.
But Province butchered a number of opportunities inside the Pumas 22, and kept the visitors in the game as flyhalf Francois Brummer slotted a drop goal and penalty to go into halftime at 10-6 in favour of WP.
After a rather forgettable first quarter of the second half, it was Jones who ignited the game with his terrific five-pointer, and it even inspired the Pumas as former WP backs Devon Williams and JP Lewis combined that saw the latter go over in the left-hand corner just three minutes later.
Coach John Dobson will be delighted that Province managed to show some form of composure in the closing stages as Leolin Zas and Jan de Klerk scored to secure the bonus point for four tries.
Replacement back Tyler Fisher and captain Renaldo Bothma went over for late consolation tries as well, but it was to no avail.
On the evidence of this performance, WP will find it hard to compete if they do reach the semi-finals by beating Griquas (away) and Boland (home) in their final two league games, as the likes of the Cheetahs, Sharks, Blue Bulls and Golden Lions have all played better rugby this season.
Western Province– Tries: Werner Kok, Huw Jones, Leolin Zas, Jan de Klerk. Conversions: Robert du Preez (4). Penalty: Du Preez (1).
Pumas– Tries: JP Lewis, Tyler Fisher, Renaldo Bothma. Conversion: Devon Williams (1). Penalty: Francois Brummer (1). Drop Goal: Brummer (1).