Western Province beat the Lions in entertaining Currie Cup contest

Western Province outgunned the Lions 48-36 to win their Currie Cup round one encounter and take a full five log points.

Both teams were playing under new skippers with prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye skippering the Lions while flanker Nama Xaba led out Western Province.

Western Province start strong

Adre Smith bouldered over for the first try of the match early on after a silly mistake gave Western Province an early penalty which they used to set up an attacking lineout. WP saw their maul repelled, but Smith was too big and strong to be denied from point-blank range.

The Lions answered with a maul of their own and Dameon Venter scored his first Currie Cup try after they mauled over at the second time of asking.

Tim Swiel made it 10-5 in favour of Western Province when he slotted a penalty from straight in front.

Vaughen Isaacs narrowed the deficit soon after, but that was short-lived as Western Province found another gear.

A quick turnover allowed Western Province to flood forward, and eventually, Angelo Davids crossed to score in the corner.

Western Province again turned to the maul to make the most of their momentum, and Chad Solomon got the score off the back of strong lineout work.

Smith was sent to the sin-bin five minutes before the break for a dangerous tackle leaving WP down to 14.

The Lions made the most of their numbers to overwhelm the WP scrum, and Mark Snyman scored their second try. Isaacs converted to bring them back within seven.

A mistake off the restart immediately put the Lions under pressure though and Davids would canter in for a second try that allowed them to go into the break leading 29-15.

Second half: Western Province vs Lions

Western Province benefitted from a lack of discipline from the Lions after the break and the visitors soon found themselves down to 14 men.

Lunga Ncube was yellow carded after the Lions were given a team warning, with the substitute lock having just come on before infringing.

Western Province couldn’t find the finishing touches though allowing the Lions to exit at least momentarily.

Hacjivah Dayimani would eventually cross for the score as the Lions continued to be plagued by errors.

Zeilinga Strydom got a debut try for the Lions but it didn’t seem like there was any way back for the visitors.

Western Province were relentless and just after the hour mark, Davids rounded off a hat-trick.

Boldwin Hansen scored a great try for the Lions but they couldn’t back it up, and when Deon Fourie crossed, Western Province again looked in control of the contest.

Godlen Masimla was sent to the sin-bin for a trip but it came too late to do any real damage to Western Province.

The Lions scored a consolation try through Darnell Osuagwu but wouldn’t get the losing bonus-point.

Teams

Western Province 15 Tristan Leyds, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 Leolin Zas, 12 Cornel Smit, 11 Paschal Ekeji, 10 Tim Swiel, 9 Thomas Bursey, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Simon Miller, 6 Nama Xaba (captain), 5 Adre Smith, 4 Connor Evans, 3 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 2 Chad Solomon, 1 Kwenzo Blose Substitutes: 16 Jacques van Zyl, 17 Leon Lyons, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Keke Morabe, 20 Deon Fourie, 21 Godlen Masimla, 22 Chris Schreuder, 23 Mnombo Zwelendaba

Lions 15 Quan Horn, 14 Boldwin Hansen, 13 James Mollentze, 12 Aidynn Cupido, 11 Zeilinga Strydom, 10 Vaughen Isaacs, 9 Jurich Claasens, 8 Emmanuel Tshituka, 7 Jarod Cairns, 6 Mark Snyman, 5 Simon Dionisio, 4 PJ Steenkamp, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye (captain), 2 Dameon Venter, 1 Banele Mthenjane Substitutes: 16 Darnell Osuagwu, 17 Heiko Pohlmann, 18 Sibusiso Shongwe, 19 Ruan Venter, 20 Lunga Ncube, 21 MJ Pelser, 22 Nico Steyn, 23 Tyler Bocks