The New Nation Pumas hosted the Vodacom Bulls in the opening match of the 2022 Currie Cup in Nelspruit. The Bulls controlled most of the game in sometimes pouring rain to beat a game Pumas team with 33-19.
An intriguing first half, with the Bulls starting the game in complete control. The Pumas' unforced errors helped the Bulls to dominate, however as the first half continued the host started to claw their way back into the game. The end of the first half had the Bulls on their own tryline defending against a Pumas whose self-belief is growing. The Bulls leading 11-03.
The second half was frustrating for both teams in the wet conditions with both sides making several unforced errors. Unfortunately, the mistakes cost both sides momentum and ended in a bit of a bore-fest. The Pumas team showed that they will be in the running for the playoffs of the 2022 Currie Cup while the Bulls will have to field an almost new team for their trip to Cape Town on Wednesday.
11:31 Embrose Papier scored the Bulls first try after the Pumas spilt the ball in their in-goal area after their scrum was put under tremendous pressure by the Bulls. (00-05)
20:00 The hosts had a difficult start as the Bulls surprisingly were in charge of the game for the start helped on by unforced errors by the Pumas.
20:30 Chris Smith converted the Bulls first penalty to stretch their lead. (00-10)
22:52 Chris Smith converted his second penalty for the Bulls. (00-11).
29:13 Tinus de Beer open the Pumas' account with a converted penalty. (03-11)
40:00 An intriguing first half, with the Bulls starting the game in complete control. The Pumas' mistakes helped the Bulls to dominate, however as the first half continued the host started to claw their way back into the game. The end of the first half had the Bulls on their own tryline defending a Pumas team that started to believe in themselves.
45:08 Tinus de Beer opened the Pumas' account for the second half with a converted penalty. (06-11)
48:39 Chris Smith was successful with his third penalty for the Bulls. (06-14)
54:48 Ruan Nortje scored the Bulls second try of the match on the back of a bulls pack that is increasing their dominance minute after minute. Cris Smith converted. (06-21)
59:48 Tinus de Beer added another three points with a converted penalty. (09-21)
60:00 The Bulls seemingly gaining control of the game again on the back of their forwards' ever-increasing pack of forwards.
62:25 Tinus de Beer converted a penalty for the Pumas. (12-21).
67:34 Johan Grobbelaar scored a great individual try scored a try in the corner after backing himself from the back of a dominating Bulls driving maul. (12-26)
75:17 A penalty try was awarded after the Bulls collapsed a Pumas' driving maul. (19-26)
78:20 WJ Steenkamp scored the Vodacom Bulls fourth and bonus-point try from the back of a 5m lineout maul in the pouring rain. (19-33)
Scorers:
Vodacom Bulls: Tries: Embrose Papier, Ruan Nortje, Johan Grobbelaar, WJ Steenkamp. Conversions: Chris Smith (2). Penalties: Chris Smith (3).
New Nations Pumas: Try: Penalty try. Penalties: Tinus de Beer (4).
Pumas: 15 Devon Williams, 14 Tapiwa Mafura, 13 Sebastain de Klerk, 12 Robbie Petzer, 11 Lundi Msenge, 10 Thinus de Beer, 9 Giovan Snyman, 8 Willie Engelbrecht (captain), 7 Khwezi Mafu, 6 Daniel Maartens, 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Shane Kirkwood, 3 Ignatius Prinsloo, 2 Eduan Swart, 1 Corne Fourie. Replacements: 16 Llewellyn Classen, 17 Ruan Kramer, 18 Simon Raw, 19 Malembe Mpofu, 20 Phumzile Maqondwana, 21 Lucky Dlepu, 22 Eddie Fouche, 23 Alwayno Visagie.
Bulls: 15 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 14 Madosh Tambwe, 13 David Kriel, 12 Cornal Hendricks (captain), 11 Richard Kriel, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Arno Botha, 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Jaco Labuschagne, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Walt Steenkamp, 3 Jacques van Rooyen, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp. Replacements: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Lizo Gqoboka, 18 Robert Hunt, 19 Sintu Manjezi, 20 WJ Steenkamp, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Juan Mostert, 23 Stedman Gans.