The Emirates Lions hosted the Vodacom Bulls for week 6 of the URC. The "Jukskei Derby" turned out to be a one-sided affair with the Vodacom Bulls being just too good for the Emirates Lions who suffered a 34-10 defeat.
The first half started with a close contest between both sides in terms of territory and possession. The Lions initially dominated the scrums however, the match saw a swing in momentum after about 15 minutes when the Bulls started to force penalties by dominating the breakdowns and by keeping the Lions pinned in their half with good attacking phase play. This gave the Bulls plenty scoring opportunities which they managed to convert into points and a healthy 20-3 lead on the scoreboard by halftime.
It started to rain in the second half turning the match into a wet affair which affected the handling of both teams. The Bulls were awarded a yellow card in the 55th minute which the Lions capitalised on by scoring their first try of the match. They also managed to play more rugby in the Bulls' half and it looked like they were coming back into the match. This was however short-lived as the Bulls regained the momentum and continued with attacking phases in the Lions' quarter which resulted in more points on the scoreboard and a 34-10 victory.
00:59 Penalty awarded against the Lions in the half. Successfully kicked by Morné Steyn (3-0).
05:24 Scrum penalty awarded against the Bulls. Successfully kicked by Fred Zeilinga (3-3).
10:46 Penanalty awarded against the Lions for not releasing in the tackle. Successfully kicked by Morné Steyn (6-3).
16:38 Bulls hooker Johan Grobbelaar crashes over the try line after a driving maul from a penalty line out 5 meters from the corner flag. Converted by Morné Steyn (13-3).
20:00 The first 20 minutes of the match saw the Lions dominating the scrums and forward play however they gave away too many penalties as a result of pressure by the Bulls at the breakdowns. This gave the Bulls possession, territorial advantage and scoring opportunities which they converted into points.
31:33 Bulls scrumhalf Embrose Papier scores a try close to the uprights from very good driving phase play by the Bulls forwards in the Lions' quarter. Converted by Morné Steyn (20-3).
40:00 The Bulls kept the Lions pinned in their half for the majority of the last 20 minutes of the 1st half with good tactical kicks and attacking phase play. The Lions seemed to have run out of options in trying to get into the Bulls' half except for one or two brief occasions where they had scoring opportunities but failed to convert it into points.
52:41 Arno Botha crashes over the try line for the Bulls' third try close to the uprights. Converted by Morné Steyn (27-3).
55:57 Yellow card awarded to Bulls lock Ruan Nortje for cynical play.
56:33 Jaco Kriel scores the Lions' first try of the match after driving maul by the Lions close to the Bulls' try line. Converted by Tiaan Swanepoel (27-10).
60:00 The rain started coming down turning the match into a wet affair affecting the handling by both teams. The Lions capitalised on the yellow card awarded to the Bulls and managed to score their first try of the match.
74:33 Bulls centre Harold Vorster scores a try after more attacking play by the Bulls in the Lions' quarter. Converted by Morné Steyn (34-10).
Scorers:
Emirates Lions: Try: Jaco Kriel. Conversion: Tiaan Swanepoel. Penalty: Fred Zeilinga.
Vodacom Bulls: Tries: Johan Grobbelaar, Embrose Papier, Arno Botha, Harold Vorster. Conversions: Morné Steyn (4). Penalties: Morné Steyn (2).
Teams:
Emirates Lions: 15. EW Viljoen 14.Edwill van der Merwe 13. Wandisile Simelane 12. Burger Odendaal (c) 11. Sibahle Maxwane 10. Fred Zeilinga 9. Andre Warner 8. Francke Horn 7. Emmanuel Tshituka 6. Jaco Kriel (vc) 5. Willem Alberts 4. Ruben Schoeman 3. Carlu Sadie 2. PJ Botha 1. Sti Sithole. Replacements: 16. Morne Brandon 17. Morgan Naude 18. Ruan Dreyer 19. Ruan Venter 20. Ruhan Straeuli 21. Sibusiso Sangweni. 22.Morne van den Berg 23. Tiaan Swanepoel.
Vodacom Bulls: 15. Kurt-Lee Arendse, 14. Canan Moodie, 13. Lionel Mapoe, 12. Harold Vorster, 11. Madosh Tambwe, 10. Morné Steyn, 9. Embrose Papier; 8. Elrigh Louw, 7. Arno Botha, 6. Marcell Coetzee (captain), 5. Ruan Nortje, 4. Walt Steenkamp, 3. Jacques van Rooyen, 2. Johan Grobbelaar, 1. Simphiwe Matanzima. Replacements: 16. Bismarck du Plessis, 17. Lizo Gqoboka, 18. Robert Hunt, 19. Janko Swanepoel , 20. Muller Uys, 21. Zak Burger, 22. Chris Smith , 23. David Kriel.
Article by Francois du Toit