Jack stars as WP down Sharks

Chris Jack scored with his first touch in a Western Province jersey to help his side to a 29-15 win over the Sharks at a rain-soaked Newlands.

Chris Jack scored with his first touch in a Western Province jersey to help his side to a 29-15 win over the Sharks at a rain-soaked Newlands on Saturday.

WP outscored the defending Currie Cup champions by two tries to none to add to a near-flawless kicking display from fly-half Willem de Waal, who contributed nineteen points.

All fifteen of the Sharks' points came from the boot of scrum-half Rory Kockott as the visitors struggled to get any sort of rhythm in a tightly-fought encounter.

WP's all-new second row of Jack and former Lion Anton van Zyl played a massive role at the break down and in the line-outs, securing plenty of possession while De Waal kept the Sharks going backwards with his booming territorial kicks.

Jack got WP off to a dream start, scoring a try with his first touch of the ball in the blue and white hoops after just 22 seconds! The former All Blacks lock charged down a Kockott box kick deep in the Sharks 22 and reacted fast enough to dive on the ball to get the scoreboard ticking.

De Waal was on target with the conversion to put WP 7-0 up faster than the Sharks could say 'how's your mountain.'

Kockott and De Waal exchanged penalties before a general dust-up broke out. WP skipper Luke Watson was adjudged to has started the ruckus by roughhousing visiting hooker Craig Burden, giving Kockott the chance to slot his second penalty to make the scores 10-6.

The Province scrum was struggling against the visiting heavies and conceded another three points to Kockott and his kicking tee. The feisty scrum-half was putting on a masterful kicking display in the difficult conditions and deserved the applause of the Newlands faithful when he put his side in front with his fourth penalty just before the half-hour mark.

With the rain belting down, the error count was always going to be high as both teams tried to hang onto the ball. The Sharks hung on a little too long with half-time looming and De Waal was allowed to put Province back into the lead. The home fly-half was on target again soon afterwards when Kockott drifted off-side, extending the gap at 16-12.

With the hooter having already sounded, Kockott's attempt at goal from the half-way line fell short and the teams headed for the changing rooms with WP up by four.

Sharks number eight Keegan Daniel was sent to the sin bin for not using his arms shortly after the break and his absence proved to be a telling blow.

With the visitors a man short at the breakdown, the WP loose forwards were able to steal the ball back in opposition territory. Anton van Zyl took the ball forward before Morgan Newman found Sireli Naqelevuki out on the wing and the big Fijian's pace did the rest. De Waal slotted another pearl from the touchline to add the extra two and Province were in the driving seat.

The opposing kickers added another penalty each before Daniel returned to the field with the scores at 26-15.

The Sharks cause was not helped by the departure of skipper Johan Muller with a suspected broken arm with fifteen minutes to play.

The home side had the Sharks pinned in the own half for much of the last twenty minutes and when De Waal's fifth penalty bounced over the cross-bar with full-time on the horizon, it was clear it was not going to be the Sharks' day.

WP must now travel to pre-tournament favourites the Blue Bulls next Saturday while the Sharks will expect to get their first win of the season at home to Boland on Friday.

The Scorers

For Western Province:
Tries: Jack, Naqelevuki
Cons:De Waal 2
Pens: De Waal 5

For the Sharks:
Pens: Kockott 5

Yellow cards: Daniel (Sharks – 42nd min – shoulder charge)

Western Province: 15 Joe Pietersen, 14 Frikkie Welsh, 13 Morgan Newman, 12 Peter Grant, 11 Sireli Naqelevuki, 10 Willem de Waal, 9 Ricky Januarie, 8 Luke Watson (capt), 7 Pieter Louw, 6 Pieter Myburgh, 5 Anton van Zyl, 4 Chris Jack, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 Wicus Blaauw.
Replacements: 16 Hanyani Shimange, 17 J D Moller, 18 De Kock Steenkamp, 19 Deon Fourie, 20 Dewaldt Duvenage, 21 Juan de Jongh, 22 Tonderai Chavhanga.

Sharks: 15 Stefan Terblanche, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Andries Strauss, 12 Riaan Swanepoel, 11 Luzuko Vulindlu, 10 Guy Cronje, 9 Rory Kockott, 8 Keegan Daniel, 7 Jean Deysel, 6 Jacques Botes, 5 Johann Muller (c), 4 Steven Sykes, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Craig Burden, 1 Deon Carstens.
Replacements: 16 Skipper Badenhorst, 17 Patric Cilliers, 18 Albert van den Berg, 19 Justin Downey / Ryan Kankowski, 20 Charl McLeod, 21 Monty Dumond, 22 Chris Jordaan.

Referee: Jaco Peyper
Assistant referees: François Veldsman, Cobus Wessels
Television match official: JC Fortuin