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- Western province coach John Dobson and captain Siya Kolisi have reacted to their loss in the Currie Cup on Saturday.
- WP lost 19-9 to the Sharks in what is almost certainly their last game at Newlands.
- Dobson said he was “almost devastated” by the result and the performance.
The looks on the coach’s faces John dobson and captain He is a school I said it all Saturday after Western Province they were eliminated from the Currie Cup in what is almost certainly their farewell to Newlands.
By the time the Rainbow Cup kicks off in April, and even if there are more home games in preparation for that tournament before then, Western Province is expected to have completed its full-time move to Cape Town Stadium.
He made Saturday’s semi-final against the Sharks a very important occasion for Dobson, Kolisi and everyone associated with Western Province rugby.
The players were determined to sign Newlands in style, with a victory that would have seen them travel to Loftus next weekend for a Currie Cup final against the Bulls.
Instead, the hosts were poor on Saturday and, as Kolisi said afterward, they never found a rhythm.
They dominated the territory and possession stats for much of the contest, but failed to implement any clinical execution when it mattered most as the Sharks fought their way to a 19-9 victory.
This fell short of the performance that Dobson had requested and expected from his positions on his big day, and disappointment was etched all over his face during the post-game press conference.
“It’s more than a disappointment … it’s almost a devastation,” he said.
“It was a very important game for us and I think we were very disappointed. It’s very sad.
“It’s not how we wanted to end up here in Newlands and the players and everyone are more than disappointed.”
Kolisi also tried to explain his emotions.
“It’s like Dobbo said,” he began.
“It’s a horrible feeling. With the preparation we have had this week and that we act like this … we only have ourselves to blame.
“There was no rhythm at all. We couldn’t get going and I don’t remember where we got a play or a proper play.
“They won all the little details … and took their chances.
“It’s hard for me to point out one thing, but when they had their opportunities, they took advantage of them.”
Kolisi, who never apologized, acknowledged that the Western Province’s performance had simply not been up to par.
“It’s the worst feeling of all and it’s the way it happened that made it even worse,” he said.
“Maybe if we had played a little bit better. It’s really not the way we train or talk about things this week. It’s horrible.
“We were prepared, but we didn’t deliver when it mattered most and it’s really difficult.”
The Currie Cup final will see the Bulls host the Sharks on Saturday.
