BY their own admission, Western Province haven’t produced a complete performance in this year’s Currie Cup. They haven’t put that “80-minute match” together since the start of their title defence eight weeks ago. WP fans have seen glimpses of brilliance, but also more than enough daft moments.
However, the daft moments have become fewer and the good moments more prevalent as Province approach the business end of the season.
Last weekend, WP’s win over the Pumas was an example of how they have mixed the sublime with the ridiculous.
In the first 30 minutes of that match they were awful. In fact, WP coach John Dobson described it as their worst half of rugby this year. They missed tackles, they couldn’t secure a lineout, the breakdown was a mess and they were mauled into the ground.
But for the last 50 minutes of the match, they scored 38 unanswered points. And it could’ve even been closer to 50 unanswered points had they not dropped a few balls or took a couple of wrong options.
But there’s a feeling that the elusive 80-minute performance is close, very close.
Maybe it will come tonight at Ellis Park when WP take on the all-conquering Golden Lions, who are the only team in this year’s competition that still boast a 100 percent record.
Playing for the entire match is precisely what WP need to come away from Johannesburg with at least four points to keep their hopes of hosting a semi-final at Newlands alive.
Third-placed Province are level on points with the Blue Bulls in the standings, but their arch-rivals are in second because of their superior points difference. The Bulls also have an easier run-in with matches against EP Kings and the Pumas, while WP have to face the Lions and the Kings.
Dobson said this week that WP were going all out to try and secure a home semi. But if they want to beat the Lions, the Capetonians need to be clinical on attack and keep their mistakes to a minimum.
WP’s discipline has been terrible this season and the coaching staff have even brought in a fine system, which will cost a player R500 per silly penalty.
If Province infringe within 55m of their goal line, the Lions’ sharp-shooting flyhalf Marnitz Boshoff will punish them.
Hopefully, for WP’s supporters, Boshoff will merely be a spectator tonight. Hopefully, he will stand and marvel at Province’s 80-minute effort and not be looking up to see how his kicks sail through the uprights. - Cape Times