Although the hosts kept the score to respectable 14-0 in favour of their northern neighbours at the break, the Vodacom Bulls broke free in the second half to complete a resounding victory, scoring six tries to one, with experienced former Springbok flyhalf Morne Steyn making an impactful cameo by scoring a try and landing three successful conversions.

Although they never gave up, the Sigma Lions were no match for the well-oiled light blue machine and the defeat means they are still winless after six matches. The Vodacom Bulls netted their fifth win in six games, with their only negative result their loss to unbeaten Toyota Cheetahs.

A large part of the first half saw a mighty arm wrestle between the Gauteng neighbours, with neither side able to gain the upper hand as a result of stout defence.

The heavy battle took its toll on both sides as they were forced to make early injury replacements. Mark Snyman, the home side's openside flanker, was replaced by Sasko Ndlovu, while Vodacom Bulls right wing Sibongile Novuka left the field with a arm injury, with James Verity-Amm sent on as his replacement.

The visitors got the first points via a penalty try after they smashed their opponents' scrum into reverse gear in the 32nd minute, while Verity-Amm made the hosts pay for some slack defence by breaking through the last tackle to dot down just before the halftime whistle. Young flyhalf Juan Mostert struck the conversion sweet to take the halftime lead to 14-0 in favour of the defending champions. 

Over-eagerness with ball in hand and some basic errors derailed the home team when they found themselves in good attacking positions. They made several promising forays into the opposition 22, only to return empty handed. Furthermore, the Sigma Lions side also did themselves no favours when Lunga Ncube was sent to the sin bin for foul play.

James Tedder got the Sigma Lions' first points via a penalty goal early in the second half, but then Steyn scored the Vodacom Bulls' third try after a period of sustained pressure. He also lined up the successful conversion kick which stretched the lead to 21-3 as the pressure started to took its toll on the home side.

The Sigma Lions refused to give up though, as evident by replacement scrumhalf Jurich Claasens' converted try under the sticks, which reduced the deficit to 21-10.

However, Gert Smal's team hit back with menace to score three more times through No 8 Muller Uys, and replacement front rowers Joe van Zyl and Cebo Dlamini, with the dependable Steyn adding the extras via his kicking boot.

The home team's problems were further compounded when replacement Ndlovu was also sent to the cooler for executing a tip tackle on an opponent.

Scorers:

Sigma Lions 10 (0) - Try: Jurich Claasens. Conversion: James Tedder. Penalty goal: James Tedder.

Vodacom Bulls 40 (14) - Tries: Penalty try, James Verity-Amm, Morne Steyn, Muller Uys, Joe van Zyl, Cebo Dlamini. Conversions: Juan Mostert, Steyn (3).