Even though Western Province opened the scoring with a penalty goal by Clayton Blommetjies, it was the visitors who scored the first try when winger Qamani Kota picked up a loose ball to score, also converting his own try. Kota also succeeded with a penalty goal a few minutes later to put the Griffons firmly in front.

However, Western Province retaliated swiftly when scrumhalf Imad Khan went over the line a minute later.  Province scored their second try 10 minutes later when flanker Paul de Villiers went round the back of the line-out to go over the line with Blommetjies converting both tries.

But the Griffons wasn’t quite done yet and winger Gershwin Wehr scored a converted try just before the half-hour mark. Two quick tries from centre Damian Markus just before half-time put Western Province firmly in the lead and secured a bonus point for the hosts.

The Griffons were unable to put any points on the board in the second half, with Western Province adding ten more to their tally – first through a penalty goal by Blommetjies and then a converted try by Khan.

As it stands, Western Province are in fifth place on the Currie Cup table and they will next take on defending champions, the Cheetahs, at home on Saturday (10/8). The Griffons are still bottom of the table and will have to regroup for their match next weekend against the Blue Bulls at Loftus Versfeld.

OFM Sport/Ilse Smalberger cg