DHL Western Province scored four tries in the pouring rain to start their Currie Cup title defence with a convincing 32-0 win against Toyota Free State Cheetahs at DHL Newlands on Saturday.

The conditions at DHL Newlands were very difficult, with rain falling steadily throughout the match and it was DHL Western Province who made the best of it, with an impressive forward effort and flawless defence.

The home side were reduced to 14 men early on when No.8 Juarno Augusts was shown a yellow card for making contact with a player in the air.

Despite that, DHL Western Province were first to score, with fullback SP Marais slotting a penalty from just in front of the halfway line as rain started to fall at DHL Newlands.

DHL Western Province were winning the all-important territory battle and were rewarded with a second Marais penalty from right in front of the poles to make it 6-0.

Their patience in the difficult conditions paid off as the pressure told after the half-time hooter, with outside centre Ruhan Nel dummying his way over for a try to give them a 13-0 advantage at the break.

The second try came just after half-time, with Augustus powering his way over with a few defenders on his back to take the lead out to 20-0 as the rain came down harder.

Hooker Scarra Ntubeni and lock JD Schickerling both got over for tries as the DHL Western Province forward pack started imposing themselves in the wet conditions.

They held out to claim a convincing victory in the end and start their Currie Cup campaign with a bonus point win.

The scorers:

For DHL WP:
Tries: Nel, Augustus, Ntubeni, Schickerling
Cons: Marais 3
Pens: Marais 2

DHL Western Province: 15 SP Marais, 14 JJ Engelbrecht, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Dan Kriel, 11 Dillyn Leyds (captain), 10 Josh Stander, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Juarno Augustus, 7 Kobus van Dyk, 6 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Michael Kumbirai, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Ali Vermaak.
Replacements: 16 Chad Solomon, 17 Caylib Oosthuizen, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Ernst van Rhyn, 20 Chris Massyn, 21 Herschel Jantjies, 22 Sergeal Petersen.

Toyota Free State Cheetahs: 15 Malcolm Jaer, 14 Rabz Maxwane, 13 Dries Swanepoel, 12 Nico Lee, 11 William Small-Smith, 10 Louis Fouche, 9 Tian Meyer, 8 Aidon Davis, 7 Oupa Mohoje (captain), 6 Jasper Wiese, 5 Dennis Visser, 4 Justin Basson, 3 Günther Janse van Vuuren, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Jacques du Toit, 17 Erich de Jager, 18 Luan de Bruin, 19 Stephan Malan, 20 Junior Pokomela, 21 Shaun Venter, 22 Ernst Stapelberg.