The unerring accuracy of fly-half Johan Goosen fired Vodacom Bulls to a sound win in Pool 1 of the Investec Champions Cup, defeating Saracens 27-16 in what turned out to be a painful afternoon for the visitors.
Centre David Kriel and forward Janko Swanepoel crossed at either end of the first half with Goosen converting both times as well as adding two penalties.
Owen Farrell also kicked two penalties, getting Sarries on the scoresheet, but they suffered two yellow cards in the space of 12 minutes, first to full-back Alex Goode on 26 minutes, and then second-row Maro Itoje on 38 minutes.
Wing Canan Moodie put Vodacom Bulls further in front at the start of the second half, with Goosen nailing the conversion again.
Things only got harder for the travelling side when Number 8 Billy Vunipola was sent off on 51 minutes after flying into a ruck.
They had two glimmers of consolation when centre Elliot Daly picked up a pass from Goode and crossed in the corner on the hour, followed by replacement Theo McFarland adding a second try ten minutes later, but Farrell missed both conversions as Vodacom Bulls claimed an opening win.
They will now face Lyon away from home in their second match, with Saracens hosting Connacht Rugby.
Scorers:
Vodacom Bulls: Tries: David Kriel, Janko Swanepoel, Canan Moodie. Conversions: Johan Goosen (2). Penalties: Johan Goosen (3).
Saracens: Tries: Elliot Daly, Theo McFarland. Penalties: Owen Farrell (2).
Teams
Vodacom Bulls: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 David Kriel, 11 Canan Moodie, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Reinhardt Ludwig, 4 Janko Swanepoel, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp. Replacements: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Deon Slabbert, 20 Marcell Coetzee, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Jaco van der Walt, 23 Sergeal Petersen.
Saracens: 15 Alex Goode, 14 Alex Lewington, 13 Elliot Daly, 12 Nick Tompkins, 11 Sean Maitland, 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Ivan van Zyl, 8 Billy Vunipola, 7 Andy Christie, 6 Juan Martin Gonzalez, 5 Hugh Tizard, 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Alec Clarey, 2 Jamie George, 1 Mako Vunipola.
Replacements: 16 Theo Dan, 17 Tom West, 18 Christian Judge, 19 Theo McFarland, 20 Toby Knight, 21 Aled Davies, 22 Olly Hartley, 23 Lucio Cinti.