Western Province have laid down a marker proving that they possess several ways to win a rugby game after their gritty 27-14 victory over the Golden Lions on Saturday.
The result lifted WP to the top of the Currie Cup standings, a point clear of the Sharks, who now remain the only other unbeaten team in the competition after they secured a 19-16 win over the Cheetahs in Durban.
At Newlands the Lions enjoyed most of the territory and possession but simply couldn't crack WP's defence or discipline. After conceding 34 penalties in their opening two games, WP were exemplary in all facets of play.
Fullback Cheslin Kolbe, a man who could sidestep someone in a shoe box, always posed danger when there was a sniff of a turnover, while wings Kobus van Wyk and Seabelo Senatla were willing accomplices.
However, the platform for victory was laid by WP's superior work at the breakdown, where flank Siya Kolisi in particular, was a Trojan.
Lesser teams would have folded under the weight of possession the Lions enjoyed but WP have tapped into their defensive DNA, which has been part of the game plan since 2009, and made the most of their chances.
They held their nerve even when they were forced to defend for 19 phases and inevitably forced the Lions into poor decisions, or found a way to snaffle possession themselves.
In all the home team scored three tries and can now head to Loftus for their return match against the Blue Bulls this weekend confident that they can win under any circumstances.
"We were one try away from a bonus in the end and when you don't earn one, it's important to prevent the opposition from scoring a bonus point and we did that," coach Allister Coetzee said.
The Lions' Johan Ackermann was unhappy with his team's execution.
"We created many half-chances but lost patience with our execution," Ackermann said.
Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package. 
