Western Province (rugby Team)

Western Province (rugby Team)

DHL Western Province is a South African rugby union team, based in Newlands, Cape Town, that participates in the annual Currie Cup and Vodacom Cup tournaments. Founded in 1883, the team has won multiple titles, a record of 33 Currie Cup titles including the inaugural competition, the Vodacom Cup, the Absa Nite Series, and the Lion Cup. The club has the most supporters of any Currie Cup team.

The Club is nicknamed "Die Streeptruie" (The Striped Jerseys in Afrikaans) in reference to their legendary blue and white hooped jerseys. These Striped Jerseys were the colours of Malmesbury Rugby Football Club, established in 1881. They are also known simply as "Province" by all South African rugby lovers, while Afrikaans speaking supporters also refer to the team by its abbreviation, W.P. (pronounced: "vee pee").

Western Province are the current Vodacom Cup Champions, having defeated the Griquas in 2012 by 20 points to 18 and Currie cup champions, having defeated the Sharks 25-18 in the final. Western Province are the only South African Team besides the Blue Bulls to have appeared in every final of every competition in South African rugby. ( The Vodacom Cup, The Lion Cup, The Absa Nite Series, The Currie Cup and the Super Rugby Competitions (as the DHL Stormers).

Another thing Western Province has done that no South African team has ever been able to match is the double victories over the All Blacks the first being (10-3) played on the 15th of August 1928 and again (12-11) on the 16th of July 1976, whilst several countries have never been able to beat the All Black team, Province managed this feat. In 2010 province again did a remarkable victory over all of New Zealand's five super unions, this was the first and only time such a accomplishment has been achieved. Province has also beaten the Wallabies 17-6 in a thrilling encounter in 1963. Province has also drawn to other countries including England in 1984 with a score of 15 all, however province has beaten the British and Irish Lions numerous of times, including three times in 1903 and won another match in 1924, the match then had been regarded as "test" status. The only two teams to have beaten overseas countries as well as combination teams (Lions) are yet again the Blue Bulls and Western Province. Province was literally unstoppable by any other opposition in the 1980s except for Northern Transvaal. amongst the ten currie cup trophies in the 1980s 5 went to Province 4 went to Northern Transvaal and 1 was shared, this shows the dominance between the two teams and the constant intense rivalry between the unions.

Since 1983 Western Province has been sponsored by Adidas, in 2013 this will mark the 30th Anniversary of the sponsorship and the 130th anniversary of the team itself. In 1983 Province launched their centenary jersey of which 50 only ever came in to existence, but this is not the rarest province top, the rarest being a complete maroon kit of which only 15 were ever made, this team played under the WP Presidents XV. The maroon jersey along with the centenary jersey as well as the original Stormers orange tops are the three most sought after Province and or Stormers tops.

Team sponsor DHL has officially renewed their sponsorship with Western Province until 2016, following a emphatic 2012 season.

Western Province currently combines with Boland Cavaliers to compete as the DHL Stormers in the Super Rugby competition.