Photo Credit: Speedshots.co.za
Every inch counted when the Vodacom Bulls and Cell C Sharks crossed paths in the Carling Currie Cup final in Pretoria with the Vodacom Bulls ending the 2020/2021 season as the undeniable champions of South African Rugby.
At the end of full-time, the score was 19-19 which forced extra time. At the end of the first 10 minutes of extra time, the score was still 19-19. The Vodacom Bulls at the end secured the win with a try by Arno Botha with less than one minute left on the clock.
06:10 The first five minutes were dominated by high kicks from both sides. The Sharks were the first be awarded a penalty which Curwin Bosch easily converted. (00-03)
The first ten minutes of the game was dominated by high kicks from the halfbacks with most of the game played on or close to the 50m.
14:10 After a missed penalty kick earlier Morne Steyn converted his second attempt to level the scores. (03-03)
The second ten minutes turned into a very physical arm wrestle with several reset scrums. The scrums at that stage a lotto with neither side managing to dominate.
23:36 Morne Steyn converted his second penalty to give the Bulls the lead. (06-03)
24:00 GAME SUSPENDED TO LIGHTNING
28:14 Curwin Bosch slotted his second penalty to level the score. (06-06)
33:06 Morne Steyn took the three points although they were on the attack and set up camp in the Sharks red zone. (09-06)
36:40 Sbu Nkosi scored the first try of the semi-final after some poor defence by the Bulls. (09-13)
Although the Sharks are in the lead at half time the Bulls were the better team, just, at that stage. The boot of Curwin Bosch has already leaked 12 points after he missed a drop-goal and three penalty conversions, which could prove to be the deciding factor at the end of the game.
42:35 Curwin Bosch converted a 50m plus penalty to stretch the Sharks lead. (09-16)
With 30 minutes to go the momentum started to swing in favour of the Bulls. The Bulls even kicked for the line rather than going for the three points at that stage.
54:58 Curwin Bosh convert another penalty. (09-19)
63:45 Arno Botha score the Bulls first try after the Bulls set up camp in the Sharks red zone for a good seven minutes. (16-19)
78:57 Chris Smith level the score with a converted penalty to level the score. (19-19)
83:31 Chris Smith missed a penalty to force extra time. Extra time to be played is 2 halves of 10 minutes each.
Typical final's rugby followed with territory the king. Both team's kickers missed relative easy opportunities at the poles in the first ten minutes of extra time which ended with the score still at 19-19.
18:56 Arno Botha scored his second try to secure the Carling Currie Cup. (26-19)
The Bulls at the end of the day the deserved winner of the Carling Currie Cup.
Scorers:
Cell C Sharks: Try: Sbu Nkosi. Conversion: Curwin Bosch. Penalties: Curwin Bosch (4)
Vodacom Bulls: Tries: Arno Botha (2). Conversions: Morne Steyn, Chris Smith. Penalties: Morne Steyn (3)
Teams:
Vodacom Bulls: 15 David Kriel, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Marco Jansen van Vuren, 12 Cornal Hendricks, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Ivan van Zyl, 8 Duane Vermeulen (captain), 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Sintu Manjezi, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Lizo Gqoboka. Replacements (from): 16 Schalk Erasmus, 17 Jacques van Rooyen, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Jan Uys, 20 Arno Botha, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Chris Smith, 23 Marnus Potgieter, 24 Nizaam Carr, 25 Gerhard Steenekamp, 26 Keagan Johannes, 27 Jade Stighling.
Cell C Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am (captain), 12 Marius Louw, 11 Yaw Penxe, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Henco Venter, 6 Dylan Richardson, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 JJ van der Mescht, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Fezokuhle Mbatha, 1 Ox Nche. Replacements: 16 Dan Jooste, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 Michael Kumbirai, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Thembelani Bholi, 21 Sanele Nohamba, 22 Jeremy Ward, 23 Manie Libbok.