Western Province’s five-try first-half scoring spree laid the foundation for a 45-14 victory over the Pumas in their Currie Cup match at Newlands on Friday.
The final result was never in doubt after WP ran up a healthy 31-7 half-time lead even though the visiting Pumas scored the first try of the match.
The opening 20 minutes was an arousing affair as both sides showed a willingness to run the ball from the get-go.
However, the visiting Pumas were first out of the blocks with a seventh-minute try through centre Alwayno Visagie who ran in unchallenged through a huge midfield gap in the opposition defence after his side had secured line-out ball on the WP 22m line.
Undaunted by this early setback, WP responded with several penetrative sorties which eventually took its toll twice in the space of four minutes.
First, winger Sergeal Petersen dived over in the 14th minute and then No.8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe followed suit later with WP’s second try (10-7).
In the 22nd minute, Seabelo Senatla streaked downfield after an intercept and dotted down under the posts (17-7).
In remaining first-half play, WP ran in further tries through Justin Phillips and another by Senatla.
WP was not quite up to speed when second-half play resumed and they needed some 12 minutes before they scored try No.6 through loosie Ernst van Rhyn.
Chris Smith scored his side’s second try, before Ruhan Nel broke through for WP’s seventh try which was converted (45-14).
Western Province:
Tries: Sergeal Petersen, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Seabelo Senatla (2), Justin Phillips and Ruhan Nel;
Conversions: Josh Stander (3) and Jean-Luc du Plessis (2).
Pumas:
Tries: Alwayno Visagie and Chris Smith;
Conversions: Smith.
Weekend’s other results:
Golden Lions 26, Blue Bulls 31
Sharks 27, FS Cheetahs 20.