Photo Credit - Speedshots.co.za
A very young and hungry Vodacom Bulls team took on a more experienced DHL Western Province team in a North-South encounter at Loftus Versfeld in the opening round of South Africa’s premier competition.
Despite putting up a brave fight and not giving to the very end, the more experienced Western Province team proved to be too good and dominated the match in all aspects beating the Bulls 24-48.
This was truly an unprecedented match situation due to both teams being severely affected by their players' national commitments. The Vodacom Bulls were the hardest hit with an incredible 44 players who could not be selected for the match, which was recorded as the largest number of debutants in a single professional game for the men in blue, with only two of the matchday 23 having seen Currie Cup action before.
The Bulls tried their best but spent most of the match defending in their quarter against a dominant and clinical Western Province team who forced many penalties and scored most of their tries from their powerful driving mauls for which the Bulls had no answer.
The Bulls did however show some moments of brilliance during the few occasions they managed to play in Western Province’s half with well-worked and executed tries. There were also many of the debutantes who raised their hands and will surely be playing in the Bulls strip again.
02:25 The Bulls score the first points of the match against the run of play after they poach the ball and Richard Kriel brilliantly runs it to the halfway line and passes to passes to Kefentse Mahlo who scores a try. Converted by FC du Plessis (7-0).
10:28 Western Province strikes back with a try by Sihle Njezula after the ball is played wide from a lineout penalty drive. Converted by Abner van Reenen (7-7).
15:27 Western Province is awarded a penalty and kicks for touch 5 meters from the Bulls try line. They win the ball and JJ Kotze scores a try from a powerful and clinical drive. Converted by Abner van Reenen (7-14).
20:00Western Province is playing all the rugby by dominating the possession and territory and keeping the Bulls pinned in their half. Penalties conceded by the Bulls are giving Western Province many attacking opportunities.
26:50 JJ Kotze picks and drives over the Bulls try line for his second try after strong forward interplay by Western Province up to the Bulls try line. Converted by Abner van Reenen (7-21).
37:23 Brilliant try for the Bulls after Kefentse Mahlo collects a clever cross-kick and manages to beat his defender and pass to Richard Kriel who scores. Conversion missed by FC du Plessis (12-21).
41:11 Yellow card awarded to Bulls Simphiwe Matanzima after collapsing the scrum on the Bulls try line.
42:21 Hat-trick try for JJ Kotze after he collects the ball from a powerful forward drive after another penalty lineout. Converted by Abner van Reenen to extend Western Province’s lead going into halftime (12-28).
43:00 Western Province continues their dominance of the half especially with their driving mauls from penalty lineouts. The Bulls are not making it easy for themselves by conceding too many penalties as result from the relentless pressure by Western Province.
49:21 JJ Kotze goes over the Bulls try line for his fourth try after yet another penalty lineout drive for which the Bulls have no answer. Conversion missed by Abner van Reenen (12-33).
52:47 Try scored by Evan Roos after powering over the Bulls try line from the loose play. Conversion missed by Tim Swiel (12-38).
60:00 The Bulls are managing to play more rugby outside their half however Western Province is not showing any signs of easing the pressure still forcing the Bulls to defend most of the play.
60:31 Penalty kick slotted by Tim Swiel for Western Province (12-41).
68:15 Dan du Plessis breaks the Bulls line defence and scores a try. Converted by Tim Swiel (12-48).
69:58 The Bulls manage to get into the Western Province quarter and drives up to the try line where Dewald Donald goes over for his first try for the Bulls. Converted by Jandre Burger (19-49).
81:15 First try for the Bulls by Jaco Labuschagne after a strong forward drive by the Bulls in the dying seconds of the match. Conversion missed by Jandre Burger (24-48).
Scorers:
Vodacom Bulls: Tries: Kefentse Mahlo, Richard Kriel, Dewald Donald, Jaco Labuschagne. Conversions: FC du Plessis, Jandre Burger.
DHL Western Province: Tries: Sihle Njezula, JJ Kotze(4), Evan Roos, Dan du Plessis.Conversions: Abner van Reenen(3), Tim Swiel (2). Penalty: Tim Swiel.
Vodacom Bulls: 15. Richard Kriel, 14. Sebastiaan Jobb, 13. Sango Xamlashe (Captain), 12. Louritz van der Schyff, 11. Kefentse Mahlo, 10. FC du Plessis, 9. Johan Mulder, 8. Jaco Bezuidenhout, 7. Jaco Labuschagne, 6. Henco Beukes, 5. Tiaan de Klerk, 4. JJ Scheepers, 3. Francois Klopper, 2. Werner Fourie, 1. Simphiwe Matanzima. Replacements: 16. Llewelyn Classen, 17. Dewald Donald, 18. Mhleli Dlamini, 19. Adolph Visser, 20. Eduan Lubbe, 21. Tiaan Fourie, 22. Kabelo Mokoena, 23. Niel Beukes, 24. Uzile Tele.
DHL Western Province: 15 Sergeal Petersen, 14 Sihle Njezula, 13 Rikus Pretorius, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Abner van Reenen, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Johan du Toit, 6 Niel Otto, 5 David Meihuizen, 4 Ernst van Rhyn (captain), 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 JJ Kotze, 1 Ali Vermaak. Replacements (from): 16 Sazi Sandi, 17 Leon Lyons, 18 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 19 Justin Basson, 20 Hacjivah Dayimani, 21 Godlen Masimla, 22 Tim Swiel, 23 Cornel Smit, 24 Jason Alexander, 25 De Wet Marais, 26 Chris Schreuder.
Article - Francois du Toit