In a captivating Currie Cup encounter at Loftus Versfeld, the Bulls mounted a remarkable comeback to secure a 50-34 victory over Western Province. The visitors took advantage of the Bulls’ errors, leading 27-10 at halftime, with tries from Hendré Stassen, Wandisile Simelane, Imad Khan, and Angelo Davids, all converted by Jurie Matthee.
However, the second half saw a revitalized Bulls team take control. Celimpilo Gumede’s early try set the tone for a dominant spell, with Francois Klopper, Izak Burger, Joe van Zyl, and Juann Else all adding tries. Jaco van der Walt played a crucial role, not only scoring two tries himself but also adding six conversions and a penalty, amassing a significant individual points haul.
The match was not without controversy, as Western Province’s tactical substitutions, including uncontested scrums, created confusion. Despite these challenges, the Bulls’ depth and resilience proved decisive, as they outpaced Western Province in the final stages of the game.
This win catapults the Bulls to the top of the Currie Cup standings, showcasing their capability to contend for the title. For Western Province, the result was a bitter pill, but they showed glimpses of potential and will aim to refine their strategy in upcoming matches. The game, rich in drama and action, underscores the Currie Cup’s status as a premier rugby competition, promising more enthralling contests in the weeks ahead.
Scorers:
Bulls:
Tries: Van der Walt (2), Gumede, Klopper, Burger, Van Zyl, Else
Conversions: Van der Walt (6)
Penalty: Van der Walt
Western Province:
Tries: Stassen, Simelane, Khan, Davids
Conversions: Matthee (3)
Penalty: Matthee
Drop Goal: Matthee