THE Welwitschias gave a great display to convincingly beat Eastern Province Kings 51-25 on Saturday and record their first win in the Currie Cup First Division.
The Welwitschias led 23-8 at the break and ran in six tries to complete a scintillating display of 15-man running rugby.
Right wing Johann Tromp scored two tries and flankers Rohan Kitshoff and Thomasua Forbes, eighthman Christo van der Merwe and centre Lesley Klim one each. Fly half Theuns Kotze gave a faultless kicking display, converting all the tries and landing three penalties for a haul of 21 points.
EP scored four tries through wings Riaan Arends and Ivan John du Preez, flanker Zingisa April and lock Anele Lungisa, while scrum half Sonwabo Majola added a conversion and a penalty.
Majola gave EP the lead with a penalty and the home side’s fortunes dipped further when Welwitschias prop AJ de Klerk was sin-binned for a foul on 10 minutes.
Despite being a man down the Welwitschias took the lead when eighthman Van der Merwe rounded off a superb rolling maul on 15 minutes.
EP struck back with a try by right wing Riaan Arends to go 8-7 ahead, but the Welwitschias gradually took control of the match.
Johan Tromp dived over for his first try in the right hand corner after slick handling by the backline and with Kotze adding a superb conversion from the touchline Namibia went 14-8 ahead.
EP started wilting under the Welwitschias’ pressure, conceding three penalties in quick succession, and with Kotze converting all of them, the Welwitschias took a commanding 23-8 lead at the break.
The Welwitschias continued their onslaught after the break with flankers Rohan Kitshoff and Thomasau Forbes dotting down after fine build-up play by hooker Neil van Vuuren and fullback Mahco Prinsloo, respectively, to go 37-8 ahead and clinch a four-try bonus point.
EP made a brief comeback with tries by wing Ivan John du Preez and flanker Zingisa April to reduce the gap to 37-20, but the Welwitchias snuffed out any hopes of a comeback with tries by Lesley Klim, crashing over from close range, and Tromp’s second, when he ran onto a kick ahead to dot down behind the posts.
EP scored a late consolation try by lock Anele Lungisa, but it was too little too late as the Welwitschias completed an emphatic victory.
It was a fine all-round display, but captain Kitshoff, fly half Kotze and centre Klim stood out with superb performances.
Kitshoff was all over the place in attack and defence, while Kotze, besides his superb kicking, ignited his backline with his quick service and probing runs.
It was Klim, however, who won the man of the match award for his explosive attacks and a great try.
In other Currie Cup First Division matches on Saturday, the Griffons beat the Valke 34-19, the Leopards beat the Boland Cavaliers 47-26 and the SWD Eagles beat the Border Bulldogs 41-20.
The Welwitschias have now moved up to fourth place on the log on seven points, while the Griffons lead on 10 points, followed by the SWD Eagles (8) and the Leopards (8).
