Western Province defended an early lead to end their Currie Cup campaign on a high with a hard-fought victory over the reinforced Sharks in Stellenbosch on Friday.

The 28-21 victory marks Western Province’s third of a disappointing 2022 season, but even though they finished in sixth place, WP signed off in memorable fashion against a Sharks outfit boosted by Vodacom United Rugby Championship stars such as Curwin Bosch, Werner Kok and Sikhumbuzo Notshe.

The defeat left the Sharks’ playoff hopes hanging on the fourth-placed Pumas suffering a 74-point loss to Griquas.

The Sharks were heavily favoured going into this game, especially as Province were riding back-to-back losses during which they had conceded a total of 76 points.

However, it was the home side that, after weathering an early storm, streaked into a 15-0 lead at the break thanks to tries from Sergeal Petersen and scrumhalf Thomas Bursey, with outside centre Cornal Smit kicking a penalty and conversion.

The Sharks needed a bright start to the second half and got just that when Notshe drove over the tryline, before Le Roux Roets ran an excellent line to score under the poles and make it a one-point game.

Province struck back when young replacement scrumhalf Bobby Alexander scored a try with his first touch of the match after dotting down a Petersen grubber, but the Sharks stayed in the fight as Marnus Potgieter scored a try in the corner, excellently converted by Boeta Chamberlain.

Ultimately, the Cape side pinned the Sharks in their own half for the final period of the game and sealed the win when Smit converted a penalty after the hooter.

Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images