Star-studded Bulls see off brave Western Province in Currie Cup clash
Bulls Currie Cup coach Phiwe Nomlomo will be happy with their start to the season following their win over Western Province.
Image: Bulls
The Bulls put in a workmanlike performance to beat a brave Western Province team 48-23 in a Currie Cup match in Cape Town on Saturday evening.
Bulls coach Phiwe Nomlomo's side came into the match as heavy favourites after selecting a very strong team filled with a lot of quality and experience. While most of their United Rugby Championship players are resting or with the Springboks, they still managed to field seasoned pros such as Marvin Orie, Boeta Chamberlain and Sintu Manjezi.
Province, on the other hand, fielded seven debutants in their run-on team, including a few Blitzboks, who have been roped in to bolster their squad in the absence of their Stormers and Springbok players.
And it was clear from the first minute that Province were going to be under the pump, especially at set-piece time. The Bulls scored five of their six tries in the first half, dominating the collisions and getting penalties as Province tried to stop the bleeding.
Province had two players - Gary Porter and Alex Groves - sent to the sin bin in the first half and paid a heavy price.
The Bulls went into the break 38-16 in the lead following a brace of tries from scrumhalf Zak Burger and efforts from Joe van Zyl, Sintu Manjezi and Jeandre Rudolph. Flyhalf Chamberlain was deadly from the kicking tee, converting all six tries in the match.
Province scored one of their two tries in the first half, with SA Sevens star Shilton van Wyk over to score.
The home side were actually the better team for much of the second half, especially at the start of the half when the Bulls were down to 14 men after centre Chris Smith was sent to the bin.
But they could only manage one try from veteran Courtnall Skosan.
The Bulls finished the stronger off the teams, though, with their bench also making an impact. Rudolph then scored his second try with 12 minutes to go to wrap up the game for the visitors.
Point-scorers:
Western Province - Tries: Shilton van Wyk, Courtnall Skosan. Conversions: Kyle Smith (2). Penalties: Smith (2)
Bulls - Tries: Joe van Zyl, Sintu Manjezi, Zak Burger (2), Jeandre Rudolph (2). Conversions: Boeta Chamberlain (6). Penalties: Chamberlain (2).