The Sigma Lions faced a tough task when they hosted the current pace-setters and Carling Currie Cup Premier Division defending champions, the Vodacom Bulls. The Vodacom Bulls used their big forwards to bulldoze the Lions' efforts to win 48-21
In the first half, the game was still evenly balanced at the end of the first half. However, the Bulls started their onslaught on the Lions try-line as the second half started. In the end an easy win for the Bulls against the struggling Lions.
04:07 Chris Smith converted a penalty to give the Bulls an early lead (00-03).
07:04 Jordan Hendrikse converted a penalty to level the score (03-03).
09:56 Jordan Hendrikse converted his second penalty (06-03).
17:51 Jordan Hendrikse converted his third penalty (09-03).
20:00 The Bulls used their macro pack to dominate early proceedings, however, the Lions managed to open up the game and put the Bulls under pressure. The subsequent penalties against the Bulls allowed the Lions to open up an early lead.
21:16 Janko Swanepoel scored the match's opening try after the ball managed to put their hands on the ball after being starved of quality ball for a good 10 minutes (09-10).
26:56 WJ Steenkamp take a quick tap from a penalty a surprised the Lions as he went over for the Bulls second try (09-17).
34:25 PJ Steenkamp scored their 1st try of the match after great work by the Lions pack from a 5m lineout penalty (16-17).
40:00 A match still balanced on a knife's edge with the Lions looking to run the ball from anywhere while the Bulls used their dominant pack to take control.
45:31 The Bulls were rewarded for their brilliant start to the second half. Chris Smith scored the Bulls 3rd try after being stopped by the Lions on several occasions since the second half started (16-22).
50:37 Gerhard Steenekamp scored the Bulls bonus point try as it seems as if the floodgates started to open for the Bulls on the back of their direct Bulls pack (16-29).
56:04 Uncontested scrums as the Lions has lost Carlu Sadie and Jannie du Plessis to injury. The Lions therefore must play with only 14 men, as they ran out of replacements.
60:00 The Bulls pack's dominance continued to grow. The Lions has simply no answer to the Bulls' forwards assault.
64:28 Madosh Tambwe collected a grubber by Lionel Mapoe to stroll over for yet another try for the Bulls (16-43).
60:44 Johan Goosen scored the Bulls 5th try as their dominance continued to grow (16-36).
67:56 Nathan McBeth scored the Lions second try after again brilliant interplay by the Lions' backs and forwards (21-41).
75:48 Zak Burger scored the Bulls 7th try (21-48).
Scorers:
Vodacom Bulls: Tries: Janco Swanepoel, WJ Steenkamp, Chris Smith, Gerhard Steenekamp, Johan Goosen, Madosh Tambwe, Zak Burger. Conversions: Chris Smith (5). Penalty: Chris Smith.
Sigma Lions: Tries: WJ Steenkamp, Nathan McBeth. Conversion: Jordan Hendrikse. Penalties: Jordan Hendrikse (3).
Sigma Lions: 15. EW Viljoen, 14. Stean Pienaar, 13. Wandisile Simelane, 12. Burger Odendaal (capt.), 11. Rabz Maxwane, 10. Jordan Hendrikse, 9. Andre Warner, 8. Travis Gordon, 7. Sibusiso Sangweni, 6. Mark Snyman, 5. Ruben Schoeman, 4. PJ Steenkamp, 3. Carlu Sadie, 2. Jaco Visagie, 1. Sti Sithole. Replacements: 16. PJ Botha, 17. Nathan McBeth, 18. Jannie du Plessis, 19. Oupa Mthiyane, 20. MJ Pelser, 21. Ross Cronje, 22. Dan Kriel, 23. Manuel Rass
Vodacom Bulls: 15. David Krie, 14. Madosh Tambwe, 13. Lionel Mapoe), 12. Harold Vorster, 11. Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10. Chris Smith, 9. Keagan Johannes, 8. WJ Steenkamp, 7. Muller Uys, 6. Arno Botha (c), 5. Janko Swanepoel, 4. Walt Steenkamp, 3. Jacques van Rooyen, 2. Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 1. Simphiwe Matanzima. Replacements: 16. Schalk Erasmus, 17. Gerhard Steenekamp, 18. Mornay Smith, 19. Ruan Nortje, 20. Elrigh Louw, 21. Zak Burger, 22. Johan Goosen, 23. Stedman Gans, 24. Joe van Zyl, 25. Marco Jansen van Vuren, 26. Cornal Hendricks, 27. Stravino Jacobs.