The Vodacom Bulls hosted the Cell C Sharks at a wet and rainy Loftus Versveld on Wednesday evening. In a game that was marred by handling errors from both sides and the lead on the scoreboard regularly changing hands, the Bulls managed to take the final lead in the 60th minute beating the Sharks 35-21 , despite being unable to score against 13 Sharks players due to yellow cards in close succession earlier in the match.
The first half saw both teams trying to adapt to the wet conditions and capitalising on each other's mistakes with points scored. The possession and territory statistics were fairly even until the Sharks found themselves defending with 13 men after receiving two yellow cards in close succession. The Sharks' defending however was short-lived after they managed to easily absorb the Bulls' pressure and play themselves into the Bull's quarter to score 3 points with an easy penalty kick. Thereafter they managed to keep the Bulls pinned in their half and score more points to close off the first half in the lead at 18-14.
The second half started with the Bulls in better control of the ball and the match putting the Sharks under pressure in their half. They managed to score more points for their efforts. The Sharks however, kept the Bulls very busy on defence by running the ball at every opportunity. The Bulls however had the last say by taking the match away from the Sharks with a bonus point try.
01:30 Sharks centre Murray Koster opens their scoring tally with a try after phase play attacks on the Bulls' try line from the kick-off (5-0).
08:43 The Bulls opens their scoring tally when Madosh Tambwe collected a clever chip kick to beat the Sharks' defence and scored a try in the corner. Converted by Morne Steyn (5-7).
12:45 Penalty given against the Bulls in their half. Successfully kicked by Jordan Chait (8-7).
15:30 Celimpilo Gumede from the Sharks is yellow carded after diving on a Bulls player.
16:10 The Bulls are awarded a penalty try and the Sharks receive another yellow card when Hyron Andrews illegally collapsed the Bulls' mall on the Sharks try line (14-8).
20:00 Both teams are played into each others' halves with a combination of tactical up and under kicks as well as running the ball wide. The Bulls however failed to score points against 13 Shark players on the field.
27:16 Penalty given against the Bulls in front of their uprights for offside play. Successfully kicked by Jordan Chait (14-11).
31:30 Marnus Potgieter scores the Sharks' second try after a line break in the Bulls' half. Converted by Jordan Chait (14-18).
40:00 The Sharks kept the Bulls pinned in their half and under pressure scoring more points to take the lead going into the second half of the match. The Bulls struggled to get their earlier momentum going and spent that last part of the half defending.
45:02 Keagan Johannes scores a try after receiving the ball from a good break by Harold Vorster putting the Bulls in the lead again. Converted by Morne Steyn (21-18).
47:10 Penalty given against the Bulls in their half. Successfully kicked by Inny-Christian Radebe (21-21).
59:30 Arno Botha scores a try for the Bulls after crashing over the line from a ruck on the Sharks' try line. Converted by Morne Steyn (28-21).
60:00 The Bulls controlled more of the play and enjoyed more possession and territory. The Sharks however still placed the Bulls under pressure by running the ball at every opportunity.
72:07 Elrigh Louw scores the Bulls' final try after a strong breaking run off a scrum 5 metres from the Sharks' try line. Converted by Morne Steyn (35-21).
Scorers:
Vodacom Bulls: Tries: Madosh Tambwe, Penalty Try, Keagan Johannes, Arno Botha, Elrigh Louw. Conversions: Morne Steyn (4).
Cell C Sharks: Tries: Murray Koster, Marnus Potgieter. Conversions: Jordan Chait. Penalties: Jordan Chait (2), Inny-Christian Radebe.
Teams:
Vodacom Bulls: 15. Kurt-Lee Arendse, 14. Canan Moodie, 13. Lionel Mapoe, 12. Harold Vorster, 11. Madosh Tambwe, 10. Morne Steyn, 9. Keagan Johannes, 8. WJ Steenkamp, 7. Arno Botha (c), 6. Cyle Brink, 5. Janko Swanepoel, 4. Walt Steenkamp, 3. Kowie Roos, 2. Schalk Erasmus, 1. Lizo Gqoboka. Replacements: 16. Johan Grobbelaar, 17. Gerhard Steenekamp, 18. Jacques van Rooyen, 19. Ruan Nortje, 20. Elrigh Louw, 22. Chris Smith, 23. Cornal Hendricks, 25. Marco Jansen van Vuren
Cell C Sharks: 15. Inny-Christian Radebe, 14. Yaw Penxe, 13. Marnus Potgieter, 12. Murray Koster, 11. Curwin Gertse, 10. Jordan Chait, 9. Cameron Wright, 8. Celimpilo Gumede, 7. Thembelani Bholi, 6. James Venter (c), 5. Hyron Andrews, 4. Emile van Heerden, 3. Wiehahn Herbst, 2. Fezokuhle Mbatha, 1. Dian Bleuler. Replacements: 16. Dan Jooste, 17. Braam Reyneke, 18. Lourens Adriaanse, 19. Jeandré Labuschagne, 20. Ntsika Fisanti, 21. Sanele Nohamba, 22. Ethan Fisher, 23. Onke Jiba.
Article by Francois du Toit