WP grab share of Currie Cup lead

Western Province scored a 38-12 bonus-point win over the Tafel Lager Griquas in their Currie Cup match at Newlands on Saturday evening, after leading 33-7 at halftime. The bonus-point win will see WP share the lead with the Sharks at the top of the Currie Cup log. After a convincing first-half, WP were unable to impose themselves on second-half play as the visiting Griquas upped the ante. WP claimed the first try inside two minutes when flyhalf Josh Stander rounded off smartly after some slick handling along the backline. Stander added the extras from the touchline for an early 7-0 lead. Griquas were awarded two penalties in ensuing play but they opted for touchline kicks and the ploy fell flat when they lost the ball at the second lineout. Some 10 minutes went by during which WP were reduced to a largely defensive role until they were able to regain the upper hand after a massive scrum. Moments later right wing Sergeal Petersen was over in the corner after a splendid team effort. Stander was again on target from the touchline (14-0). Another powerful WP scrum saw the ball squirting out at the set-piece and scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies pounced for the side's third converted try midway through the first half (21-0). Five minutes later, after yet another massive scrum, number 8 Juarno Augustus went over for WP's bonus-point try which was converted (28-0). Petersen scored a freak try - his second in the match, after a superb individual effort in the 31st minute and for once Stander failed with the conversion (33-0). Griquas pulled off an interception in front of their own posts and after WP defence were unable to halt the breakout, outside centre Kyle Steyn scored his side's opening try. Flyhalf George Whitehead converted (33-7). WP had a try disallowed on the stroke of halftime and went into the break with a 26-point lead. When second-half play started, WP looked to continue the point-a-minute fare but Griquas absorbed the pressure and even managed to halt two driving mauls. In the process, eighth man Conway Pretorius was yellow-carded for a no-arms late tackle on WP fullback Damian Willemse. Griquas had done enough to further their tally after two lineouts some five metres from the WP try line, but lost possession after the second set-piece. They finally managed to capitalise in the 57th minute when fullback AJ Coertzen scored an unconverted try (33-12). Five minutes later WP bounced back with an unconverted try by leftwing JJ Engelbrecht (38-12). In remaining play, both sides had try-scoring opportunities but the defence and poor option-taking prevent further score in the match.Scorers - WP 38 (33): Tries: Josh Stander, Sergeal Petersen (2), Herschel Jantjies, Juarno Augustus, JJ Engelbrecht. Conversions: Stander (4). Griqualand West 12 (7) - Tries: Kyle Steyn, AJ Coertzen. Conversion: George Whitehead. -NAMPA/ANA

WP grab share of Currie Cup lead

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Namibian Sun 2026-06-11

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WP grab share of Currie Cup lead

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Namibian Sun 2026-06-11

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