The visitors from Mpumalanga did well to contain the home side to a narrow 8-5 lead at the interval at DHL Newlands. Tries by winger Angelo Davids and hooker Scarra Ntubeni gave the Cape side a much better restart and set the platform for a hard-earned and much needed bonus point win.

However, the Cape outfit only managed to secure the vital bonus point long after the sound of the final hooter when the outstanding Springbok prop, Steven Kitshoff, barged over for their fourth try of the evening. 

Ntubeni scored the first of his two tries early in the opening stanza while young Kade Wolhuter (on as an early injury replacement for Tim Swiel) slotted a penalty goal to ensure Province finished the first half 8-5 in the lead.

A late change to the DHL WP line-up saw the withdrawal of Springbok tighthead prop Frans Malherbe due to illness and he was replaced by debutant Lee-Marvin Mazibuko in the starting line-up.

Willie Engelbrecht charging ahead for the Phakisa Pumas.

It was the Lowvelders who struck first though through outside centre Elrich Cronje, who used his momentum to dot down after he was felled short of the whitewash (5-0) following an intercept from winger Luther Obi 60 meters back.

Wolhuter then slotted the easy penalty goal following a high tackle on Mazibuko, for which Pumas lock Le Roux Roets was yellow carded (5-3).

With one forward less to defend the home pack did the necessary to drive Ntubeni over the line from a powerful lineout maul to allow Province to grab a 8-5 halftime lead.

Winger Angelo Davids ensured the home team got off to a perfect start when the Blitzboks flyer forced his way over shortly after the resumption of play to stretch their advantage to eight points.

Barely five minute later the Province players elected to keep the ball at close quarters, with the forwards driving Ntubeni over the line for his second try of the match. That was to be the starting hooker's final contribution of the night and he was shortly thereafter replaced by Springbok No 2 Mbonambi.

Steven Kitshoff congratulated by his team after his try.

Wolhuter kept the scoreboard busy with another penalty, while replacement Devon Williams replied in similar fashion for the visiting side with three successful penalty goals.

Jantjies was yellow carded with six minutes left on the clock for illegal play, meaning the Capetonians finished the match with 14 men. Just when it seemed the Pumas had done enough to at least secure a losing bonus point, the impressive Kitshoff stormed over the line deep into injury time to grab his team's fourth try of the evening.

Scorers:

DHL Western Province - Tries: Scarra Ntubeni (2), Angelo Davids, Steven Kitshoff. Conversion: Kade Wolhuter. Penalty goals: Kade Wolhuter (2).

Phakisa Pumas - Try: Elrich Cronje. Penalty goals: Devon Williams (3).