DHL Western Province secured their first win of the Carling Currie Cup in the final round-robin match, securing a bonus-point 40-22 (halftime 7-8) victory over an ill-disciplined Sanlam Boland Kavaliers at DHL Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday afternoon.
In sunny conditions at the DHL Stadium, the hosts finally broke their winless streak in emphatic fashion, scoring six tries to three against a Boland side that struggled to maintain discipline throughout the match.
The Kavaliers, who came into the game second on the log and chasing a home semifinal, were undone by three yellow cards and a staggering 20 penalties conceded.
Western Province end the #CurrieCup season with their first win 👏🔥#SSRugby pic.twitter.com/OSYSCkVAfR
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) September 6, 2025
The match began with Boland dominating possession and territory, but their inability to convert pressure into points proved costly.
Tighthead prop Dayan van der Westhuizen opened the scoring for the visitors with a pick-and-go try, but flyhalf Juan Mostert missed the conversion.
Western Province responded through prop Vernon Matongo, who powered over after sustained pressure.
Replacement flyhalf Jurie Matthee, who came on for Jean-Luc du Plessis, slotted the conversion to give WP a slender 7-5 lead.
Mostert added a penalty shortly before halftime to edge Boland ahead 8-7 at the break, but the warning signs were already flashing for the Kavaliers.
Flanker Sauleigh Arendse was sent to the sin bin for repeated infringements and WP began to assert themselves.
BRILLIANT TEAM TRY
The second half belonged entirely to Western Province.
Replacement flanker Adre Smith crashed over from a maul to reclaim the lead and, moments later, winger Leolin Zas finished off a sweeping move to extend the advantage.
Backline get in on the act now as it goes wide to Zas and he cruises over for the third try.
— WP RUGBY (@WP_RUGBY) September 6, 2025
🔵⚪️ 19-8 🐴 (48 mins)#WPvBOl #wpjoulekkerding pic.twitter.com/DHnT9bVqQT
Matthee's boot kept ticking the scoreboard over and WP’s dominance in the scrum and maul began to wear down the visitors.
Boland thought they had hit back through Xavier Mitchell, but the TMO ruled a forward pass in the build-up.
WP capitalised on the reprieve with a brilliant team try finished by Jonathan Roche, securing the bonus point and stretching the lead to 26-8.
Fourth try in the bag as Jonny Roche pops up in the right place at the right time to score.
— WP RUGBY (@WP_RUGBY) September 6, 2025
🔵⚪️ 26-8 🐴 (53 mins)#WPvBOl #wpjoulekkerding pic.twitter.com/gx5IlHyF9A
Despite a spirited effort from Boland, including a well-worked try by Donovan Don and a late score from Llewellyn Claassen, their hopes were dashed by continued indiscipline.
Jayden Bantom, who had earlier created Don’s try, was shown a yellow card for interference at the ruck—Boland’s third of the afternoon.
Western Province sealed the win with a sixth try, this time through Marcel Theunissen, after another dominant maul.
Matthee added his fifth conversion to cap off a standout performance, having injected pace and precision into WP’s attack since his introduction.
Captain Deon Fourie, celebrating his 100th cap for Western Province, led from the front in a memorable victory that, while too late to salvage their campaign, offered a glimpse of promise for the future.
Ons Yster @Deonf. #wpjoulekkerding pic.twitter.com/GHrTSBRPW7
— WP RUGBY (@WP_RUGBY) September 6, 2025
WP finish bottom of the log but can take heart from a performance full of grit and attacking flair.
For Boland, the defeat not only cost them a probable first home semifinal but could jeopardize their place in the playoffs altogether, depending on other results.
Their ill-discipline and inability to capitalise on early dominance will be key areas to address ahead of the knockout stages.
SCORERS
DHL Western Province - Tries: Adre Smith (2), Vernon Matongo, Leolin Zas, Jonathan Roche, Marcel Theunissen; Conversions: Jurie Matthee (5).
Sanlam Boland Kavaliers - Tries: Dayan van der Westhuizen, Donovan Don, Llewellyn Classen; Conversions: Jayden Bantom, Don; Penalty: Mostert.
