Photo Credit - Speedshots.co.za
The Vodacom Bulls hosted the Cell C Sharks at Loftus Versveld on Saturday afternoon. Both teams are unbeaten after the first three rounds of the 2021 Pro14 Rainbow Cup. The Bulls took complete control of the game in the second half to score 31 unanswered points to win 43-09.
04:52 The Bulls take an early lead after Morne Steyn converted a penalty (03-00).
13:47 The momentum with the Sharks at this stage as Curwin Bosch converts a penalty to level the scores (03-03).
17:52 Morne Steyn adds three with a converted penalty goal (06-03).
With 20 minutes still to go in the first half, the Sharks might "just" be the better side on the field, however, still anybody's game.
23: 56 Curwin Bosch convert his second penalty to level sores again (06-06).
28:34 Morne Steyn converted his third penalty (09-06).
33:00 Morne Steyn converted the fourth penalty (12-06).
36:24 Curwin converted his third penalty (12-09).
A "boring" game with winning the sole purpose, as both teams are not willing to take chances on attack. The chance to play in the final of the recently announced Rainbow Cup 2021 is definately on both teams agenda.
52:36 Lizo Gqoboka score the first try of the match after the Bulls spend a long time in the red zone of the Sharks (19-09).
With 20 minutes left in the game the momentum with the Bulls as they outmuscle/outthink the Sharks.
61:33 Morne Steyn converted his fifth penalty (22-09).
66:35 Stravino Jacobs scored the Bulls second try as the Sharks defence is completely absent (29-09).
78:05 The Bulls make a statement after a maul of a good 20 meters with Schalk Erasmus in control of the ball as the Bulls go over for their third try (36-09).
79:20 The Bulls' Chris Smith stroll over for the Bulls fourth try (43-09).
Scorers:
Vodacom Bulls: Tries: Lizo Gqoboka, Stravino Jacobs, Schalk Erasmus, Chris Smith. Conversions: Morne Steyn (2), Chris Smith (2). Penaltyies: Morne Steyn (5)
Cell C Sharks: Penalties: Curwin Bosch (3)
Vodacom Bulls: 15. David Kriel (Centurion), 14. Madosh Tambwe (Pretoria), 13. Marco Janse van Vuren (Pretoria), 12. Cornal Hendricks (Northam), 11. Stravino Jacobs (Harlequins), 10. Morné Steyn (Tuine), 9. Embrose Papier (Tukkies), 8. Duane Vermeulen (Harlequins, C), 7. Arno Botha (Naka Bulle), 6. Marco van Staden (Pretoria), 5. Ruan Nortje (Naka Bulle), 4. Walt Steenkamp (Centurion), 3. Mornay Smith (Centurion), 2. Johan Grobbelaar (Tukkies), 1. Gerhard Steenekamp (Nake Bulle). Replacements: 16. Schalk Erasmus (Tuine), 17. Lizo Gqoboka (Naka Bulle), 18. Trevor Nyakane (Harlequins), 19. Janko Swanepoel (Pretoria), 20. Elrigh Louw (Tukkies), 21. Zak Burger (Tuine), 22. Chris Smith (Harlequins), 23. James Verity-Amm (Pretoria).
Cell C Sharks: 15. Aphelele Fassi, 14. Sbu Nkosi, 13. Lukhanyo Am (C), 12. Jeremy Ward, 11. Yaw Penxe, 10. Curwin Bosch, 9. Jaden Hendrikse, 8. Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7. Henco Venter, 6. Siya Kolisi, 5. Reniel Hugo, 4. Ruben van Heerden, 3. Thomas du Toit, 2. Fez Mbatha, 1. Ox Nche. Replacements: 16. Kerron van Vuuren, 17. Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18. Wiehahn Herbst, 19. Le Roux Roets, 20. Phepsi Buthelezi, 21. Sanele Nohamba, 22. Manie Libbok, 23. Werner Kok.