DHL Western Province fought hard until the end, but went down 48-23 in their Carling Currie Cup opener with the Vodacom Bulls at DHL Stadium on Saturday.

The Vodacom Bulls held a 38-16 lead at half-time, with the visitors outscoring the hosts by six tries to two despite a spirited fight from DHL Western Province in the North-South clash. 

The Vodacom Bulls struck early through maul dominance, hooker Joe van Zyl and scrumhalf Zak Burger crossing in quick succession before flyhalf Kyle Smith’s boot and a sharp intercept try from fullback Shilton van Wyk pulled DHL Western Province back to 14-13. 

Lock Sintu Manjezi’s reply restored momentum for the visitors, who capitalised when the hosts were reduced to 13 men, with No. 8 Jeandré Rudolph powering over for the Vodacom Bulls’ bonus-point try.

Smith’s third penalty offered some respite, but Burger’s second try and Boeta Chamberlain’s boot saw the Vodacom Bulls pull away before the break.

Winger Courtnall Skosan’s superb finish in the 48th minute, converted by Smith, sparked a strong second-half response from DHL Western Province built on good interplay, solid set-piece work and impact from Springbok Sevens stars Sako Makata and Tristan Leyds.

DHL Western Province displayed impressive attacking intent during the third quarter, with Van Wyk and centres Damian Markus and Luke Burger particularly lively.

However, Rudolph’s second try and Chamberlain’s accurate goal-kicking pushed the Vodacom Bulls clear, the visitors closing out the contest with a late penalty.

DHL Western Province will next face the Fidelity ADT Lions at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg on Saturday, 2 August.

The scorers:

For DHL Western Province:
Tries: Van Wyk, Skosan
Cons: Smith 2
Pens: Smith 3

For Vodacom Bulls:
Tries: Van Zyl, Burger 2, Manjezi, Rudolph 2
Cons: Chamberlain 6
Pens: Chamberlain 2

DHL Western Province: 15 Shilton van Wyk, 14 Courtnall Skosan, 13 Luke Burger, 12 Damian Markus, 11 Quewin Nortje, 10 Kyle Smith, 9 Asad Moos, 8 De Wet Marais, 7 Louw Nel, 6 Zain Davids (captain), 5 Gary Porter, 4 Alex Groves, 3 Cabous Eloff, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Sti Sithole.
Replacements: 16 Lukhanyo Vokozela, 17 Mhleli Khuzwayo, 18 Arno Gustafson, 19 Carlo van Greunen, 20 Erhard Lambrecht, 21 Ezekiel Ngobeni, 22 Sako Makata, 23 Tristan Leyds.

Vodacom Bulls: 15 Henry Immelman, 14 Katlego Letebele, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Chris Barend Smit, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Boeta Chamberlain, 9 Zak Burger, 8 Jeandré Rudolph, 7 Junior Pokomela, 6 Nama Xaba (captain), 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Sintu Manjezi, 3 Francois Klopper, 2 Joe van Zyl, 1 Dylan Smith.
Replacements: 16 Shaun Schurmann, 17 Lizo Gqoboka, 18 Jean Erasmus, 19 Jaco Grobbelaar, 20 Dylan de Leeuw, 21 Steven Nel, 22 PA van Niekerk, 23 Marco Ferreira.