The Vodacom Bulls slumped to a 28-20 loss to the Sanlam Boland Cavaliers on Sunday in Wellington at 15:00 (SA Time).
The Vodacom Bulls were penalised off the kick-off and had to defend for the first five minutes of the first half, whereafter they worked their way up the field. Following an extended period spent in Boland’s twenty-two, the Bulls kicked for the sideline and eventually Jean Erasmus scored the Bulls' first try of the match to lead 05-00 after thirteen minutes of play.
The following twenty minutes were dominated by the errors made by both teams, with penalties being conceded at one a minute. The Bulls did “dominate” territory, and following a five-meter lineout-maul, Jaco Grobbelaar crashed over for the Bulls. Chamberlain added the extra two points to extend the Bulls’ lead to 12-00 with five minutes left to play in the first half.
With time running out in the first half, the Boland kicked a penalty out to set up a line-out maul. Sidney Tobias crashed over from the line-out maul to score the Boland’s first try. Ashlon Davids converted, reducing the Bulls' lead to 12-07 going into the second half.
Boeta Chamberlain converted a penalty after three minutes of play in the second half.
Five minutes later, the Boland’s, who attacked from the kick off, Donovan Don scored their first try of the second half following a fifteen man onslaught. Ashlon Davids converted to reduce the Bulls' lead to 15-14.
With the Boland reduced to thirteen players, Bulls’ Nama Xaba bulldozed his way over the tryline for the Bulls’ third try, extending the Bulls’ lead to 20-14 and twenty-five minutes still to play.
However, Boland once again attacked from the kick-off and following a great scrum and brilliant hands, Khwezi Mafu sneaked over for their third try. Ashlon Davids converted and took a one-point lead with twenty minutes still to play in the second half.
The Boland continued their onslaught and after twelve minutes of dominance, prop Dayan van der Westhuizen bulldozed his way over the tryline to extend the Boland’s lead to 28-20 and secured a bonus point for the hosts.
The Boland absorbed a lot of pressure during the final minutes but secured a well-deserved 28-20 bonus-point win.
Teams:
Sanlam Boland Kavalier: 15 Donavan Don, 14 Marcqiewn Titus, 13 David Brits, 12 Lunathi Nxele, 11 Xavier Mitchell, 10 Ashlon Davids (vc), 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Thurlow Marsh (c), 7 Sibusiso Sangweni, 6 Ludio Williams, 5 Jurie van Vuuren, 4 Michael Benadie, 3 Doctor Booysen, 2 Sidney Tobias, 1 Mthokozisi Gumede. Replacements: 16 Llewellyn Classen, 17 Wayrin Losper, 18 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 19 Ameer Hendricks, 20 Khwezi Mafu, 21 Godlen Masimla, 22 Juan Mostert, 23 Erik Lambrecht.
Vodacom Bulls: 15 Stravino Jacobs, 14 Katlego Letebele, 13 Demitre Erasmus, 12 Cornel Smit, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Boeta Chamberlain, 9 Zak Burger, 8 JJ Theron, 7 Sintu Manjezi, 6 Nama Xaba (c), 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Jaco Grobbelaar, 3 Jean Erasmus, 2 Juann Else, 1 Ruan Swart. Replacements: 16 Esethu Mnebelele, 17 Lizo Gqoboka, 18 Bryan le Roux, 19 Marco Ferreira, 20 Junior Pokomela, 21 Brooklyn Newman, 22 Jaco van der Walt, 23 Cheswill Jooste.