The Vodacom Bulls had to work hard to overpower Cardiff during the first half of the match, however, thereafter it was one-way traffic ending in a comprehensive 45-09 win for the hosts.
The first quarter was an arm wrestle with Cardiff maybe the better off in the collisions. Both sides showed that they are looking for opportunities to spread the ball wide, however, great defence by both sides kept the scoreboard quiet apart from converted penalties. Cardiff led 06-03 after 20 minutes of play.
In the second quarter, the arm wrestle continued, however, the momentum started to shift towards the Vodacom Bulls. Two tries by the Vodacom Bulls and one by Cardiff gave the Vodacom Bulls a 17-09 lead going into the second half.
The match started to open up during the third quarter with the momentum with the Vodacom Bulls. Two tries by the Vodacom Bulls put them ahead with 31-09 seemingly well on their way to a well-deserved win.
The Vodacom Bulls stepped up the pace of their attack during the last quarter and scored three unanswered tries to win 45-09.
Scorers:
Vodacom Bulls: Tries: Canan Moodie (2), Kurt-Lee Arendse, Johan Goosen, Ruan Nortje, Elrigh Louw. Conversions: Johan Goosen (4), Chris Smith (2). Penalty: Johan Goosen.
Cardiff: Penalties: Jarrod Evans (3)
As it happened
01:51 Jarrod Evans converted a penalty for Cardiff. (00-03)
05:03 Johan Goosen converted a penalty for the Vodacom Bulls. (03-03)
12:04 Jarrod Evans converted a penalty for Cardiff. (03-06)
28:43 Canan Moodie scored the Vodacom Bulls' first try. The Vodacom Bulls launched wave after wave attacks until space opened up wide for Moodie to stroll over. (10-06)
31:50 Jarrod Evans converted the third penalty for Cardiff. (10-09)
38:51 Kurt-Lee Arendse scored the Vodacom Bulls' second try. The Vodacom Bulls once again used their big forwards to launch attack after attack on their visitors' tryline until the gap opened up for Arendse to walk over for the try. (17-09)
42:33 Johan Goosen stepped his way past several Cardiff defenders to score under the sticks, the Vodacom Bulls' third try. (24-09)
59:21 Ruan Nortje bulldoze his way over the tryline for the Vodacom Bulls' fourth and bonus point try. (31-09)
68:15 Canan Moddie fell on a grubber from Kurt-Lee Arendse to score the Vodacom Bulls' fifth try. (38-09)
76:23 Elrigh Louw scored from the back of a 5m lineout-maul. (45-09)
Teams:
Vodacom Bulls: 15. Kurt-Lee Arendse, 14. David Kriel, 13. Cornal Hendricks, 12. Harold Vorster, 11. Canan Moodie, 10. Johan Goosen, 9. Izak Burger, 8. Elrigh Louw, 7. Cyle Brink, 6. Marco van Staden, 5. Ruan Nortje (c), 4. Ruan Vermaak, 3. Mornay Smith, 2. Johan Grobbelaar, 1. Gerhard Steenekamp. Replacements: 16. Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17. Simphiwe Matanzima, 18. Francois Klopper, 19. Janko Swanepoel, 20. Nizaam Carr, 21. Embrose Papier, 22. Chris Smith, 23. Lionel Mapoe.
Cardiff: 15. Cameron Winnett, 14. Jason Harries, 13. Mason Grady, 12. Ben Thomas, 11. Aled Summerhill, 10. Jarrod Evans, 9. Lloyd Williams, 8. James Botham, 7. Thomas Young, 6. Josh Turnbull (c), 5. Seb Davies, 4. Lopeti Timani, 3. Dmitri Arhip, 2. Kristian Dacey, 1. Rhys Carré. Replacements: 16. Kirby Myhill, 17. Corey Domachowski, 18. Will Davies-King, 19. Teddy Williams, 20. Shane Lewis-Hughes, 21. James Ratti, 22. Ellis Bevan, 23. Harri Millard.
