Fourteen-man Bulls edge Province

MATCH REPORT: Bulls continue their winning streak with a 22-20 win over Western Province at Newlands on Saturday – despite being down to fourteen men.

*As if happened: Western Province v Bulls

Both teams scored three tries, but it was the visitors from Pretoria who claimed a dramatic two-point win with a late try from replacement back Marco Jansen van Vuren and a perfectly nailed Chris Smith conversion.

The result sees the Bulls go three points clear at th top of the Currie Cup table.

While for Western Province, the defeat is a major concern especially given their possession and territory throughout the first half.

The Bulls were the first team on the scoreboard. A counter-attack was finished off in the corner by wing Kurt-Lee Arendse to give them a 5-0 advantage after juts eight minutes.

Western Province responded almost immediately as flyhalf Damian Willemse converted a breakdown penalty following an attacking scrum and line-out.

Willemse saw two further attempts go wide, but Western Province were making most of the play, winning numerous penalties through their powerful scrum.

An extended period of dominance in the opposition 22 was eventually rewarded as No.8 Juarno Augustus burst through to score.

Willemse converted for the 10-5 lead.

The Bulls flyhalf Smith had a chance to narrow the deficit however he missed a relatively easy penalty and the teams headed to the locked with a 10-5 lead to WP.

The Bulls struck first in the second half with a penalty from Chris Smith.

However, they were dealt a heavy blow when prop Jacques van Rooyen was shown a red card for a late and dangerous tackle on Warrick Gelant.

While it was initially suggested a yellow card, referee AJ Jacobs decided on the red – stating there were no mitigating factors and it was hit to the head.

With a numeral advantage, Western Province kept the pressure on and it eventually resulted in a second try. Centre Ruhan Nel made an intercept and was brought down on halfway before Willemse put through a rolling kick which was collected next to the touchline by a flying Angelo Davids, with the wing going on to score in the corner.

However, Jake White’s troops refused to lay down and levelled matters with a second try from Arendse.

But WP responded with their third try as a composed build-up saw blindside flank Ernst van Rhyn gallop over in the corner.

Replacement flyhalf Tim Swiel failed to add the extras and Province had a narrow five-points lead with 10 minutes to play.

The Bulls showed tremendous character and refuse to give up. After multiple phases inside the Province 22, Smith’s timely crossfield kick, found replacement Marco Jansen van Vuren, who scored at the death and the touchline conversion from Smith saw the visitors claim the win.

Man of match: Western Province No.8 Jaurno Augustus was the standout performer for his side. The Province made a couple of powerful carries and his defence was solid. Steven Kitshoff also deserves a mention. However, our nod goes to Bulls flank Marco van Staden for his impressive workrate making nurmoures try-saving tackles

The scorers: 

For Western Province
Tries: Augustus, Davids, van Rhyn
Con: Willemse
Pen: Willemse

For Bulls:
Tries: Arendse 2, Jansen van Vuren
Cons: Smith 2
Pen: Smith

Red card: Jacques van Rooyen (Bulls, 47 – Dangerous tackle)

Teams: 

Western Province: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Dan du Plessis, 12 Rikus Pretorius, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Juarno Augustus, 7 Ernst van Rhyn, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 John Schickerling, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Mbongeni Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Replacements – from: 16 Siyabonga Ntubeni, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Kwenzo Blose, 19 Neethling Fouche, 20 David Meihuizen, 21 Chris van Zyl, 22 Jaco Coetzee, 23 Marcel Theunissen, 24 Godlen Masimla, 25 Tim Swiel, 26 Ruhan Nel.

Bulls: 15 David Kriel, 14 Travis Ismaiel, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Cornal Hendricks, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Ivan van Zyl, 8 Duane Vermeulen (captain), 7 Arno Botha, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Walt Steenkamp, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Jacques van Rooyen.
Replacements: 16 Corniel Els, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Marcel van der Merwe, 19 Sintu Manjezi, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Clinton Swart, 23 Marco Jansen van Vuren.

Referee: AJ Jacobs
Assistant referees: Cwengile Jadezweni, Divan Uys
TMO: Rasta Rasivhenge

Photo credit: @Speedshot.co.za