DHL Western Province continued their unbeaten start to the Currie Cup campaign by handing the Vodacom Bulls a fourth straight loss at Loftus Versfeld on Friday evening.
Having trailed by one point at half-time after Vodacom Bulls scrumhalf Zak Burger scored in the final play of the first half, Western Province showed incredible fight to twice come from behind and claim a 41-33 victory.
DHL @WP_RUGBY secure a bonus-point win at Loftus ?⚪️#CurrieCup pic.twitter.com/3HEpbIg9jt
— SA Rugby magazine (@SARugbymag) March 17, 2023
For Western Province, it was two from two in their opening Currie Cup fixtures, both games being played at altitude without most of their Vodacom United Rugby Championship regulars.
In his second outing in the blue and white hoops, fullback Clayton Blommetjies enjoyed an outstanding match, punishing the Vodacom Bulls for giving him far too much space to run into, while outside centre Ruhan Nel scored a try and did excellently to set up flyhalf Kade Wolhuter in the first half.
This offload from @jldup10 ?#CurrieCup #BULvWP pic.twitter.com/ILstRy9akD
— SA Rugby magazine (@SARugbymag) March 17, 2023
By contrast, it is concerning times for the Vodacom Bulls who, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Canan Moodie aside, fielded as experienced a team as they could have for this clash and dominated the forward exchanges, but still showed far too many soft moments on defence.
The Vodacom Bulls have now conceded 104 points in their opening games of the tournament, both at home, and are now winless in six games in all competitions, having last tasted victory against Exeter Chiefs in the Champions Cup pool match in January.
A try in the dying minutes of the opening half sees us head into the break 1 point ahead.
?? #BULvsWP #CurrieCup @Vodacom #TrueToTheBlue #BullsHeard pic.twitter.com/ESEkfhSgmz
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) March 17, 2023
Photo: Gordon Arons/Gallo Images