The home team outscored the visitors from Cape Town two tries to one, but a lack of discipline in the first half allowed Western Province to kick four penalties as they took a 12 – 5 lead at half time.

Province’s flyhalf Jean-Luc du Plessis opened the scoring when he kicked a penalty in the 5th minute to give his team a 3 point lead.

The Kings suffered at the break down as a lack of players caused a number of turnovers early on. Dispite dominating at scrum time the Kings were battling at the lineouts losing out on scoring opportunities.

Du Plessis stretched Province’s lead to 6 when he kicked his team’s second penalty in the 30th minute.

Five minutes later Kings scored their first try through flyhalf George Whitehead, after continuous pressure on Province’s try line. Whitehead missed the extras as they trailed 5 – 6 with five minutes to half time.

Province stretched their lead to four points as du Plessis kicked another penalty a minute from half time, taking a 9 – 5 lead.

Numerous warnings from the referee resulted in a yellow card as Kings hooker, Martin Ferreira, was sin binned on half time. Du Plessis kicked his fourth penalty as Province took a 12 – 5 lead at half time.

Replacement Scott van Breda kicked the Kings’ second penalty ten minutes into the second half, as they trailed 8 – 12 on the 50th minute.

The Kings took the lead for the first time after a chip kick from Hansie Graaff was gathered by fullback Sylvian Mahuza, the conversion was missed by van Breda as they took a 13 – 12 lead with a quarter of the game remaining.

Province piled on the pressure as the game reached the final stages and eventually regained the lead after they camped on the Kings’ try line. Scrumhalf Godlen Masimla stepped his way over the try line for their first points in the second half. Du Plessis was on target as he added the extras to give Province a 19 – 13 lead with ten minutes to play.

The Kings had one last opportunity in the dying seconds as they gained precious meters deep inside Province’s twenty two. Graaff tried to put the ball behind the Province defense but rolled into the in-goal as the ball was dotted down after the final hooter.

The game ended 19 – 13 as Province keep their unbeaten record and the top spot in the South Section.

Scorers:

EP Kings: (5) 13 – Tries George Whitehead, Sylvian Mahuza. Penalty Scott van Breda.

DHL Western Province: (12) 19 – Tries: Godlen Masimla. Conversion: Jean-Luc du Plessis. Penalties Jean-Luc Plessis (4).