Flyhalf Jaco van der Walt scored 25 points as the Vodacom Bulls overturned a 24-point deficit to beat DHL Western Province in an 11-try thriller at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
Trailing 27-3 after 37 minutes, the Bulls responded with seven tries to clinch a bonus-point 50-34 victory and 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.
Porter surged 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 just before the break, Van der Walt scored and converted a try to make it 27-10 and give the hosts some hope at the interval.
