The Western Force have finished their three-game South African spring series tour with a second victory, edging the DHL Western Province XV 34-33 in Stellenbosch on Saturday.
The Force triumphed by the narrowest of margins with five tries each in fine conditions at Markotter Stadium, with a late Coby Miln penalty kick ultimately proving the difference.
South African outfit Western Province had rallied back from 31-19 down to re-claim the lead, only for Miln to slot the match-winning penalty with a few minutes left, before the Force hung on.
In a see-sawing contest, the Force had raced to a 12-0 first-half lead only for the hosts to hold a 14-12 half-time advantage after Harry Hoopert's yellow card, before a second half full of more twists and turns.
The Force’s tries came from Tom Horton, George Poolman, Will Harris and Harry Potter, along with a penalty try before the late drama.
The victory means the Force will return to Perth with two wins – also beating the Cheetahs 38-24 last week - and a defeat to Emerging Ireland (29-24) from their three games on the South Africa tour.
It was a chaotic game which included yellow cards for both sides, along with a second-half Western Province red card for a high tackle on George Poolman.
The Force took the lead early from a maul try from hooker Horton. Fly-half Miln’s conversion hit the upright, meaning a 5-0 lead.
The visitors came under an intense period of pressure over the next 10 minutes, with the Force defence showing resolve and determination to hold their opponents at bay, underlined by back-rowers Harris and Dane Sawers causing turnover, while lock Josh Thompson showed his physicality too.
The Force thought they’d added a second try when Miln’s cross-field kick found Mac Grealy in space, releasing Harris for a certain try but it was called back for a forward pass.
Winger Poolman, however, got the second try with an intercept, with Miln converting for a 12-0 lead after half an hour.
But Western Province replied immediately with a penalty try as Force prop Hoopert was yellow carded.
Back Ronan Leahy was replaced with front-rower Marley Pearce to cover Hoopert’s absence but the home side capitalised on the numerical advantage with a converted try shortly after to take a 14-12 lead into half-time.
Like the first half, the Force jumped out of the blocks in the second stanza, with Harris re-claiming the lead with a try shortly after the interval for a 17-14 lead.
The South African outfit were reduced to 14 players after a high tackle on Poolman led to a red card and an extended break with the winger requiring treatment.
There was a flurry of action, including yellow cards for either side, but the Force pulled out to a 31-19 lead with a maul penalty try followed by Potter crossing.
However, the hosts hit back with two converted tries, before Miln’s decisive penalty kick.
The Force's 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season starts at HBF Park on Saturday 15 February against Moana Pasifika. Memberships for 7 home games from $170 per adult are on sale NOW.
Western Force 34
Tries: Horton, Poolman, Harris, Penalty Try, Potter
Conversions: Miln 2/4
Penalties: Miln 1/1
Western Province 33
