John Dobson and Jean-Luc du Plessis were elated with Western Province’s Athlone revival on Friday which kept the Capetonians’ Currie Cup hopes alive.
WP came back to beat the defending champion Pumas 22-14 at Athlone Stadium.
With the victory, fourth-placed WP have won three of their last four matches and remain in contention for a playoff spot.
Reflecting on the result post match, WP head coach Dobson told reporters: “[There’s a saying] in Afrikaans, dit is diep lekker, this feeling.
“We were so dominant in the first half, so many mistakes in the second half but the character as J-L spoke in the changing room afterwards, at the end there … really, really happy.
“It feels like a really big win for us and it was critical for us to stay in this competition. I think if we lost this match, the competition could’ve gotten away from us.
“To trust those young guys and to get this result, very pleasing, hey.”
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Skipper Du Plessis, who scored a try, kicked two conversions and nailed a penalty, echoed Dobson’s sentiments, adding: “We really stuck together and fought through. A couple of games this season towards the last 10 minutes, we’ve not been able to get over the line, but tonight was a different story.
“Really proud of the effort, We know we’ve got some things to work on but really happy to come away with the result… thoroughly deserved.”
Dobson also acknowledged the significance for WP of the upcoming Vodacom URC final involving the DHL Stormers, and the dual challenge faced by the coaching staff, but he remains confident in the leadership of Du Plessis and his team as they prepare to face the Lions next week.
“This [coming week] is going to be a real challenge for J-L and his group because, as much as we can wish it, the coaches are going to be distracted by the URC – the whole hype is going to be there,” he said.
“So it’s going to be up to J-L and his leadership and his lieutenants to come and get five points. It’s going to be a good test for them but he is a good leader, this guy just wants to win everything.
“It’s going to be a player-led week and I’m sure we’re going to get a response.”
Du Plessis added: “You’d be kidding ourselves if you say it [the final] doesn’t affect you at all, because we are one group.
“But what helps us is we’re playing on a Friday, and we have our own job to do first, and then on Saturday we can go support the boys.”
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