Province dominated for lengthy periods of the first half, scoring two converted tries and a penalty goal while Tafel Lager Griquas finished the opening stanza strongly to clinch a converted try in the process.

Three more tries in the second half secured a well-deserved win for the Cape Town outfit, who leapfrogged from fourth on the log to second spot behind the Vodacom Bulls.

The Cell C Sharks, who are away to the Toyota Cheetahs on Sunday, can however reclaim second spot should they manage to win in Bloemfontein.

The Vodacom Bulls lead the standings on 35 points, followed by DHL WP (31), the Xerox Lions (29), Cell C Sharks (28) and Toyota Cheetahs (21).

Steven Kitshoff stepped into the captaincy role after regular DHL WP skipper Siya Kolisi was withdrawn from the team due to Covid-19 protocols.

Jaco Coetzee moved up from the bench to fill the No 6 role while Ernst van Rhyn came into the match squad as loose forward cover.

Province, boasting an all RWC-winning Springbok front row, flexed their muscles early when hooker Bongi Mbonambi powered his way over from a driving maul. Flyhalf Tim Swiel added the extras with his first successful conversion kick (7-0).

Swiel added another three points just minutes later when he slotted his first penalty goal of the afternoon (10-0).

With the home side camping in the visitors' territory and enjoying most of the possession, it came as no surprise when outside centre Dan du Plessis was sent through the gap to race clear for their second converted try (17-0). 

Dan du Plessis on his way to the tryline

Zak Burger, the visiting captain, then initiated a move that led to their opening try scored by right wing Eduan Keyter. Flyhalf Tinus se Beer converted the easy kick to reduce the halftime deficit to 17-7.

De Beer struck first in the second half when he steered his penalty goal through the poles after the home side had conceded an early infringement. But the Cape side quickly grabbed the momentum away from the visitors to strike back with two quick tries.

The opposing pack conceded a scrum penalty and following another driving maul from the resulting lineout, it was Mbonambi who dived over for his second try of the day.

The burly hooker was soon followed over the whitewash by Coetzee who dotted down for the fourth Province try.

Jaco Coetzee barges over

Mbonambi then left the field to make way for Chad Solomon, who duly celebrated his 50th Province appearance with a try off the back of another menacing maul to score their fifth try of the match. This stretched the home lead to 34-10 with less than 15 minutes of time left to play.

Replacement loose forward Siba Qoma scored a consolation try for the team from Kimberley, who continued to show good endeavour and appetite, but with scant reward.

The BA Communication graduate finished off some good driving from his hard-working pack to have the visitors leaving DHL Newlands with some fond memories.

Scorers:

DHL Western Province 34 (17) - Tries: Bongi Mbonambi (2), Dan du Plessis, Jaco Coetzee, Chad Solomon. Conversions: Tim Swiel (3). Penalty goal: Swiel.

Tafel Lager Griquas 17 (10)  - Tries: Eduan Keyter, Siba Qoma. Conversions: Tinus de Beer (2). Penalty Goal: De Beer.