DHL Western Province opened their 2013 Vodacom Cup account in grand style, defeating the EP Kings by 43-18 in Port Elizabeth on Friday evening.

The defending champions were in a rampant mood, as they led 31-8 at half-time – scoring all five their tries in the first half.

Livewire flanker Chris Cloete racked up a hat-trick for the visitors at the NMMU Stadium, with the match having been moved from its original venue in Zwide, whilst Tim Swiel (pictured) – on his starting debut – contributed nine points on the night.

Left-wing Cheslin Kolbe scored his team’s fourth try, in the 26th minute, with lock Ruan Botha having opened their scoring in the sixth minute and Cloete completing his hat-trick in the 36th minute.

DHL Stormers forwards Brok Harris, Botha (on debut for DHL WP) and Michael Rhodes (with the latter getting 40 minutes from the bench on dedut) all bolstered the WP team for this clash and it paid off for coach John Dobson, whose team had drawn one game and lost once in the lead-up to this fixture.

“Obviously we are pleased with getting five points away from home… but to do so emphatically against a good Kings team is pleasing – especially after the disappointment of last week’s last-second defeat,” said Dobson.

“But, make no mistake, it was a battle. We had quite a few players out there who had not played a lot of rugby this year, so there were some very tired men out there after 80 minutes!

“It was a great investment (this match) for the future and a pleasing result to boot – also because there don’t seem to be any new injury worries for us,” added the WP boss.

The scorers:

For the EP Kings:
Tries: Britz, Mbiyozo
Con: Dunlop
Pens: Dunlop 2

For DHL Western Province:
Tries: Botha, Cloete 3, Kolbe
Cons: Swiel 3
Pens: Van Aswegen 3
DG: Van Aswegen