Downpour and errors wash away WP final hopes

It rained on Western Province's parade at Newlands on Saturday. The team's hopes of playing in yet another Currie Cup final were washed away in a spring shower that turned into an 80-minute downpour.

The 17-11 defeat, however, cannot be blamed solely on the weather. There was also poor tactical thinking on behalf of the home team, who succumbed to the Free Staters at home for the second time this season.

Instead of using their forwards to drive the ball up to the Free State line, Province insisted on playing a high-risk game with their all-Springbok backline. It did lead to a spectacular try in the first half by Schalk Burger but for the rest it only played into Free State's hands.

Province's afternoon was a litany of handling errors with the ball resembling a bar of Lifebuoy. It seemed as if neither side had any faith in their forwards for this was a day of 10-man rugby, even better, nine-man.

Keeping it tight in the wet weather is one of the first rules of rugby but the way both teams played you could have sworn it was funny-day at Newlands.

One person, however, who might by pleased by Province's defeat is Springbok coach Jake White. The abrupt end to WP's season will mean that more than a dozen Springboks will get a week's longer rest ahead of the tour to Europe which starts early next month.

The Blue Bulls will now be odds-on favourites to win the Currie Cup on Saturday at their Fortress Loftus where they have been unbeatable this season.