An amazing comeback from the Tafel Lager Griquas saw them snatch a scarcely believable 43-41 (halftime 19-35) win over DHL Western Province in their Carling Currie Cup clash at the Danie Craven Stadium on Friday afternoon.
The hosts scored all five of their tries in the first half as they led 35-7 at one stage, before the Griquas showed why they are third on the log as they dragged their way back into the game and sealed the win with an 85th minute try to wing Luther Obi.
They still needed replacement flyhalf George Whitehead to nail his touchline conversion, and so he did to send the Griquas bench wild.
The match start with a massive first 10 minutes from Province that saw them storm into a 21-0 lead.
A perfect chip from flyhalf Tim Swiel found fullback Tristan Leyds for the first try, a massive maul saw hooker Jacques van Zyl dot down their second and outside centre Juan de Jongh finished off a good break, with Swiel slotting all three conversions for a solid lead.
The Griquas finally replied in the 15th minute as scrumhalf Johan Mulder made the initial break and then found charging inside centre Rynhardt Jonker to crash over, with Whitehead slotting the extras to make it 21-7.
Province then hit straight back with two more tries from the next 10 minutes, first after van Zyl intercepted with Griquas on attack and found wing Angelo Davids to run in, and then a break from their own half ended with wing Sergeal Petersen sending a chicken wing pass to Swiel to run away to score and put them up 35-7.
The Griquas then responded with two important tries in the final seven minutes of the half as outside centre Sango Xamlashe received a short ball from fullback Ashlon Davids to crash over, and Davids again then found wing Munier Hartzenberg in space, with Whitehead converting one making it 35-19 at the break.
The second half then saw Swiel importantly push Province further ahead with two penalties in the first 13 minutes, giving them a 41-19 lead after 53 minutes.
But a yellow card to Province prop Ali Vermaak for a blatant pull back in the 60th minute then sparked the Griquas comeback.
The Griquas kicked the penalty to the corner, set up a maul and powered over with replacement hooker Janco Uys dotting down.
Still with a man advantage the Griquas then made a break from their own half with Obi running in to score, with Whitehead’s conversion making it 41-31 after 69 minutes.
With two minutes left the Griquas then rumbled over another maul try, with replacement lock Cameron Lindsay, making it a five point game and setting up the overtime drama as the Griquas claimed the win.
Scorers
Western Province 41 – Tries: Tristan Leyds, Jacques van Zyl, Juan de Jongh, Angelo Davids, Tim Swiel. Conversions: Tim Swiel (5). Penalties: Tim Swiel (2)
Griquas 43 – Tries: Rynhardt Jonker, Sango Xamlashe, Munier Hartzenberg, Janco Uys, Luther Obi (2), Cameron Lindsay. Conversions: George Whitehead (4).