Photo credit: Gallo Images
The first clash of the 2020 SARU u/21 Championship between the DHL Western Province and Vodacom Blue Bulls ended in a comprehensive win with 36-25 for the Bulls who dominated most of the play.
It took 14 minutes of territorial advantage for DHL Western Province to take the lead via a converted penalty. The Bulls' forwards had from the start the better of the WP pack of forwards with the Bulls first try coming of a period that the forwards of the Bulls camped on the Western Province try line.
The Bulls went into the second half with a 12-6 lead after their forwards scored from a driving mall just before halftime. The Stormers definately the better team when they get some possession and the interplay between and backs impressive. The Bulls at halftime happy to slow down the game with their powerful forwards and starve the exciting Western Province from quality ball.
The Bulls scored within 2 minutes of the start to extend their lead to 17-6. From their first try in the second half, the Bulls took complete control of the game and lead 29-6 after the first 20 minutes of the second half.
Western Province got their first points of the second half after 52 minutes in the match. The Bulls, however, did not relax their grip of the game and although Angelo Davids scored three tries in the second half it was too little too late. A win for the Bulls with 36-25 which do flatter Western Province a lot.
The Bulls displayed the same game plan as their senior side and it must be said that the Bulls are the best prepared Union at Super Rugby as well as u/21 level. A reflection of the professionalism at the Bulls which clearly set them apart from their opposition.
Scorers:
DHL Western Province: Tries: Angelo Davids (3). Conversion: Kade Wolhuter. Penalty: Juan Mostert (2)
Vodacom Blue Bulls: Tries: Stravino Jacobs (2), Joe van Zyl, Diego Appollis, Johan Mulder, Eduan Swart. Conversions: Ruben Beytell (2), Alex-Zander du Plessis.
Vodacom Blue Bulls u/21: 15. Richard Kriel, 14. Gerswin Mouton, 13. Diego Appollis, 12. Dawid Kellerman, 11. Stravino Jacobs, 10. Ruben Beytell, 9. Johan Mulder, 8. WJ Steenkamp, 7. Jaco Labuschagne (C), 6. Janko Swanepoel, 4. Jordan van Dyk, 3. Eduan Swart, 2. Joe van Zyl, 1. Jan-Hendrik Wessels. Replacements: 16. Janco Uys, 17. Dewald Donald, 18. Wian Otto, 19. Adolph Visser, 20. Divan Venter, 21. Ross Braude, 22. Alex-Zander du Plessis, 23. Jay-Cee Nel.
DHL Western Province U21: 15 Sibabalwe Xamlashe, 14 Thoubaan Gabriels, 13 Juanre De Klerk, 12 Dan Aspeling, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Juan Mostert, 9 William Rose, 8 Hannes Gouws, 7 Marcel Theunissen (captain), 6 De Wet Marais, 5 Xavier Haupt, 4 Simon Miller, 3 Dandre Degenaar, 2 Jason Alexander, 1 Dian Bleuler. Replacements: 16 Joshua Muller, 17 Rynhardt Rijnsburger, 18 Damian Swartz, 19 Thys Kitshoff, 21 Luciano Elias, 22 Kade Wolhuter, 23 Ryan Van Ster, 25. Waqar Solaan.