The Vodacom Bulls kicked off the weekend’s fixtures on Friday evening when they were made to work hard to beat the Airlink Pumas by 31-26. This match was, unfortunately, "spoilt" by cards issued by the referee that was not only doubtful but had a definite impact on determining the outcome of this match.
The Pumas got the rewards of playing a well-structured game and "dominated" the Bulls, outscoring them four tries to two leading 26-12 at the halftime break. However, a three-try blitzkrieg by the host overturned a fourteen point deficit into a five-point lead with twenty minutes to go.
05:38 Sebastian de Klerk scored the Pumas' first try out wide after the Pumas spent several minutes on the attack in the Bulls' reed zone. (00-05)
12:43 Sebastian de Klerk scored his second try for the Pumas after the Pumas ran the full length of the field after a mistake of the Bulls on the Pumas tryline. (00-10)
17:15 The Bulls' answer was quick as they scored their first try from the back of a 5m lineout maul by Sidney Tobias. (07-12)
17:30 Sebastian de Klerk (Pumas) was sent off with a yellow card.
19:20 Eduan Swart scored the Pumas' third try from a lineout-maul. (07-19)
20:00 An even match on the field with both sides taking their scoring opportunities, however, the Pumas were successful on several occasions to stop the Bulls' driving mauls.
33:04 David Kriel scored the Bulls' second try of the match after some great interplay by the hosts' backline players. (12-19)
33:20 Tinus de Beer (Pumas) was sent off with a red card.
37:12 Sebastian de Klerk charged down a kick from the Bulls to score his third try, and the Pumas' bonus point try. (12-26)
40:00 The Pumas got the rewards of playing a well-structured game and "dominated" the Bulls, outscoring them four tries to two and led 26-12 at the halftime break.
46:44 Ruaan Vermaak bulldozed his way over the Pumas' tryline for the Bulls' third try. (19-26)
54:35 James Verity-Am collected Pumas kick that was charged down to score a long-distance try for the hosts to level the score. This was also the Bulls' bonus point try. (26-26)
59:27 David Kriel scored his second try for the Bulls of the match after nine phases on the tryline of the Pumas. (31-26)
67:38 Tapiwa Mafura (Pumas) sent of with a yellow card.
Scorers:
Vodacom Bulls: Try: Sidney Tobias, David Kriel (2), Ruaan Vermaak, James Verity-Am. Conversion: Morne Streyn (3).
Airlink Pumas: Tries: Sebastian de Klerk (3), Eduan Swart. Conversion: Eddie Fouche (3)
Teams:
Vodacom Bulls: 15. James Verity-Am, 14. David Kriel, 13. Stedman Gans, 12. Marco Janse van Vuren, 11. Richard Kriel, 10. Morne Steyn, 9. Embrose Papier, 8. Muller Uys, 7. Reinhardt Ludwig, 6. WJ Steenkamp, 5. Janko Swanepoel, 4. Ruaan Vermaak, 3. Robert Hunt, 2. Sidney Tobias, 1. Lizo Gqoboka (c). Replacements: 16Schalk Erasmus, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Francois Kloppers, 19 Rayard Roets, 20 Stephan Smith, 21 Keagan Johannes, 22 Juan Mostert, 23 Tarquin Manuel
Airlink Pumas: 15. Devon Williams, 14. Sebastian de Klerk, 13. Alwayno Visagie, 12. Eddie Fouche, 11. Tapiwa Mafura, 10. Tinus de Beer, 9. Chriswill September, 8. Willie Engelbrecht (c), 7. Phumzile Maqondwana, 6. Daniel Maartens, 5. Shane Kirkwood, 4. Deon Slabbert, 3. IG Prinsloo, 2. Eduan Swart, 1. Corne Fourie. Replacements: 16. Llewellyn Classen, 17. Dewald Maritz, 18. Simon Raw, 19. Darrien Landsberg, 20. Francois Kleinhans, 21. Andre Fouche, 22. Giovan Snyman, 23. Ali Mgijima.