WP's win hand Bulls back-to-back home defeats
MATCH REPORT: Western Province claimed a 41-33 bonus point win against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Friday.
The result means the WP have secured two wins from two in the Currie Cup this season, claiming a full house of 10 log points from their opening two games, both away from home on the highveld.
And for the Bulls, it is a fourth consecutive defeat (two in the United Rugby Champions and two in the Currie Cup) at Loftus Versfeld
*To recap all the action CLICK HERE!!!!
It was a very entertaining fixture, with the Bulls scoring five tries, while WP only manage to score four.
However, it was yet again the boot of Kade Wolhuter that proved to be the difference. The flyhalf not only scored a try but also kicked three conversions and five penalties.
Western Province got the scoring underway with a penalty from flyhalf Wolhuter and the home side responded with a try in the corner from Springbok wing Sbu Nkosi.
The visitors were back in front soon afterwards however as No.8 Keke Morabe picked up a loose ball and hurtled down the touchline before getting it away to scrumhalf Paul de Wet to finish the try.
They followed that up with a second try as an incredible counter-attack from wing Ruhan Nel saw Wolhuter score out wide.
The Bulls hit back with a try from centre Cornal Hendricks and although Wolhuter added a second penalty, it was the home side who took a slender 19-18 lead into the break as scrumhalf Zak Burger scored on the stroke of half-time.
Western Province were back in front at the start of the second half as Nel scored in the corner from another impressive counter-attack, with Wolhuter adding the touchline conversion.
The Bulls took the one-point lead back with a maul try from hooker Johan Grobbelaar and they followed that up with another from lock Francois Klopper.
But those would be their last points of the evening as Western Province finished strong.
A try from Blommetjies in the corner, which was set up by an incredible offload from Jean-Luc du Plessis, brought them back within a point and they followed that up with two further penalties from Wolhuter.
That sealed an incredible 41-33 win to make it back-to-back away wins to start the Currie Cup.
Man of the match: WP flyhalf Kade Wolhuter delivered yet another great performance following last weekend’s display against the Lions. Aside from his boot, his running was good. However, our nod goes to WP fullback Clayton Blommetjies. The No.15 was incredible on attack, he scored a try, and dictated much of the game from the back with his tactical kicks.
The scorers:
For Bulls:
Tries: Nkosi, Hendricks, Bruger, Grobberlaar, Klopper
Cons: Smith 4
For Western Province:
Tries: De Wet, Wolhuter, Nel, Blommetjies,
Cons: Wolhuter 3
Pens: Wolhuter 5
Teams:
Bulls: 15 David Kriel, 14 Quewin Nortje, 13 Cornal Hendricks, 12 Harold Vorster,, 11 Sibusiso Nkosi, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Zak Burger, 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Cyle Brink, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje (captain), 4 Jacques Du Plessis, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Johann Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Replacements: 16 Simphiwe Matanzima, 17 Bismarck du Plessis, 18 Francois Kloppers, 19 Janko Swanepoel, 20 WJ Steenkamp, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Morne Steyn, 23 Stedman Gans
Western Province: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 11 Ruhan Nel, 10 Kade Wolhuter, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Keke Morabe, 7 Willie Engelbrecht, 6 Marcel Theunissen, 5 Connor Evans, 4 Ernst van Rhyn (captain), 3 Sazi Sandi, 2 Andre-Hugo Venter, 1 Kwenzo Blose.
Replacements: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Leon Lyons, 18 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 19 Dylan de Leeuw, 20 Ben-Jason Dixon, 21 Hacjivah Dayimani, 22 Godlen Masimla, 23 Bruce Sherwood.
Referee: Griffin Colby
Assistant Referees: Local
TMO: Christie du Preez
*Additional Source: @WPRugby
*Photo Credit: @CurrieCup
