Flyhalf Jaco van der Walt scored 25 points as the Vodacom Bulls overturned a first-half deficit to beat DHL Western Province in an 11-try thriller at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
Trailing 10-27 at half time, the Bulls scored six tries in the second 40 minutes as the Pretoria outfit clinched a bonus-point 50-34 victory to extend their impressive start to the 2024 Currie Cup to four wins.
For WP, it was a third defeat of the campaign and the Capetonians must regroup to face the Griffons at home next Saturday.
Phiwe Nomlomo’s charges, meanwhile, will renew hostilities with the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Friday.
Nomlomo will be sweating over the availability of winger Sergeal Petersen, who was replaced by Lionel Mapoe after a knock inside the opening five minutes on Saturday.
Stormers director of rugby John Dobson, too, will have his fingers crossed over injured props Sazi Sandi and Lizo Gqoboka following their early withdrawals.
First-half tries from lock Gary Porter, centre Wandisile Simelane and scrumhalf Imad Khan – his first try in the Currie Cup – and 12 points from the boot of flyhalf Jurie Matthee powered the visitors into an early lead at Loftus, while a converted try and penalty from Van der Walt gave the hosts some hope at the interval.
Porter powered over from close range in the 22nd minute for the opening try of the match, with Bulls skipper Nizaam Carr yellow-carded for a dangerous tackle on WP debutant Divan Fuller in the buildup to the touchdown.
But the Bulls made it a three-point game soon after the restart with two quickfire tries from rampaging No 8 Mpilo Gumede and replacement prop Francois Klopper. Van der Walt added the extras.
Scrumhalf Zak Burger dotted down to set up a fourth Van der Walt conversion as the home side took the lead for the first time in the tail of the third quarter.
Hooker Joe van Zyl notched up the Bulls’ fifth try before speedster Angelo Davids crossed the whitewash for Province to secure their four-try bonus point as the match entered the final quarter.
And Van der Walt and substitute Juann Else touched down to complete a thrilling comeback for the Herd.
Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images
