This weekend, the action kicked off at Loftus Versfeld tonight when the "injured" the Vodacom Bulls confirmed their dominance of all local competitions when they send the Pumas back home with a 27-32 loss.
The Pumas second-half onslaught surprised many as everybody expected the Bulls to run away with the game in the second half. However, a determined Pumas made the Bulls work extremely hard for this "deserved" win. The Bulls earned the full 5 points as they got their Currie Cup season back on track while the Pumas has shown that they will not be an "easy" victim this season.
11:39 The Pumas get some reward for their territorial dominance as Eddie Fouché converts a penalty to give the Pumas an early lead, (00-03).
14:16 Harold Voster collected his own chip-kick to score the Bulls first points of the match with a splendidly worked try, (07-03).
20:00 The first 20 minutes "dominated" by the Pumas as they enjoyed possession and territorial advantage. However, no major fireworks but the Bulls scrums are showing good signs for the rest of the match.
28:03 Chris Smith convert a penalty for the Bulls to extend their lead. However, the Bulls spend a good 7 minutes in the 22m of the Pumas and after several attempts, the Bulls could only convert the penalty for their efforts on the attack, (10-03).
34:45 Excellent try from the Bulls help on by some horrible defence from the Pumas allowed Madosh Tambwe to score the Bulls second try after a great run down the sideline, (17-03).
40:00 The Pumas could be excused feeling that they "deserve" a much closer scoreline. However, a clinical Bulls team on attack and defence is slowly dismantling the "threat" the Pumas "posed" at the beginning of the match.
44:23 The Pumas returned to straight running and physical running and started the second half with a brilliant "team" try. Etienne Taljaard scored the Pumas first try after great interplay by forwards and backs, (17-10).
49:25 Chris Smith converted a try for the Bulls, (20-10).
54:55 Smart play by Cornal Hendricks when he picked up a loose ball and strolled over the Pumas try line, (25-10).
57:49 Eddie Fouché went for the "gamble" chip kick and collected the ball to score the Pumas second try, (25-17).
60:00 The Pumas sped up play since the start of the second half and put the Bulls under pressure on several occasions. The match at this stage balanced on a knife's edge, although the Bulls "seemed" to be in control.
63:48 Brilliant attacking play by the Pumas who attacked from a dominant scum in their own half. Tapiwa Mafura ran a good 50m to make this a one-point game. Great work by Devon Williams definately deserves a mention, (25-24).
70:54 David Kriel scored the Bulls bonus-point try after some great interplay between the forwards and backs of the Bulls, (32-24).
74:31 Eddie Fouché converted a penalty, (32-27).
Scorers:
Vodacom Bulls: Tries: Harold Voster, Madosh Tambwe, Cornal Hendricks, David Kriel. Conversions: Chris Smith (3). Penaltie: Chris Smith (2).
New Nation Pumas: Tries: Etienne Taljaard, Eddie Fouché, Tapiwa Mafura. Conversions: Eddie Fouché (3). Penalties: Eddie Fouché (2).
Vodacom Bulls: 15. Gio Aplon, 14. Madosh Tambwe, 13. Harold Voster, 12. Cornal Hendricks, 11. Stravino Jacobs, 10. Chris Smith, 9. Ivan van Zyl, 8. Marcell Coetzee (C), 7. Ruan Nortje, 6. Nizaam Carr, 5. Janko Swanepoel, 4. Walt Steenkamp, 3. Mornay Smith, 2. Schalk Erasmus, 1. Lizo Gqoboka. Replacements: 16. Sidney Tobias, 17. Simphiwe Matanzima, 18. Jacques van Rooyen, 19. Muller Uys, 20. WJ Steenkamp, 21. Zak Burger, 22. FC du Plessis, 23. David Kriel.
Pumas: 15. Devon Williams, 14. Tapiwa Mafura, 13. Erich Cronje, 12. Matt Moore, 11. Etienne Taljaard, 10. Eddie Fouché, 9. Chriswil September, 8. Willie Engelbrecht, 7. Phumzile Maqondwana, 6. Francois Kleinhans, 5. Pieter Jansen van Vuren (captain), 4. Darrien Landsberg, 3. Marné Coetzee, 2. Simon Westraadt, 1. Dewald Maritz. Replacements: 16. Eduan Swart, 17. Ruan Kramer, 18. Ignatius Prinsloo, 19. Brandon Valentine, 20. Kwanda Dimaza, 21. Ginter Smuts, 22. Wayne van der Bank, 23. Jade Stighling.