The Vodacom Bulls hosted the Toyota Cheetahs in the final round of the Carling Currie Cup at Loftus Versveld Stadium on Saturday. The Bulls had already booked their place for a home semi-final, whilst the Cheetahs who were already out of the running, hoped to cause a big upset by beating the Bulls. This however was not to be as the Bulls narrowly beat the Cheetahs 39-36.
The match surprisingly was a very even affair with a sea-saw scoreline as both teams shared possession and territory scoring when playing in each other's half. Both teams elected to play running rugby and used their forwards for strong driving mauls when close to the try line. The Bulls started to take control of the match and the scoreboard in the latter part of the second half. The Cheetahs managed to score two quick successive tries near the end of the match to narrow the scoreline but it was too little too late.
04:21 Bulls scored their first try after the ball was played quickly from the midfield and Marco Jansen van Vuren scored under the posts. Converted by Johan Goosen (07-00).
07:59 Cheetahs scored a try when the ball was played wide in the Bulls' quarter and Mihlali Mosi went over the try line close to the corner. Converted by Ruan Pienaar (07-07).
13:02 Cheetahs winger Duncan Saal collected a clever chip kick in the Bulls' half and scored a try. Converted by Ruan Pienaar (07-14).
15:15 Elrigh Louw scored the Bulls' second try after picking up the ball from a powerful Bulls scrum in the Cheetahs quarter. Converted by Johan Goosen (14-14).
20:00 The scoreline, possession and territory kept on changing hands with both teams playing in each others' halves and scoring.
22:57 Penalty try awarded against the Bulls for cynically collapsing a driving mall on their try line. (14-21).
25:23 Penalty awarded to the Bulls in the Cheetahs' quarter for offside play. Successfully kicked by Johan Goosen (17-21).
37:10 Bulls hooker Jan-Hendrik Wessels crashed over the try line after a long and powerful driving maul from a penalty lineout in the Cheetahs' quarter. Converted by Johan Goosen (24-21).
40:21 Penalty awarded to the Cheetas for offside play by the Bulls in their quarter. Successfully kicked by Ruan Pienaar (24-24).
40:00 The match continued to remain an even affair with both teams forcing penalties in each other's halves to score.
47:03 Yellow card awarded to Cheetahs lock Victor Sekekete for cynical play.
47:20 Bulls hooker Jan-Hendrik Wessels scored his second try after he crashed over the try line from a driving maul. Conversion missed by Johan Goosen (29-24).
60:00 The Bulls started to enjoy more possession and territory and pressured the Cheetahs into conceding more penalties including a yellow card.
61:10 Bulls winger Madosh Tambwe scored a try after attacking phase play in the Cheetahs' quarter. Converted by Johan Goosen (36-24).
67:10 Penalty awarded to the Bulls after obstructive running by the Cheetahs. Successfully kicked by Johan Goosen (39-24).
71:30 Cheetahs fullback Cohen Jasper scored a try after the ball was played wide from a penalty lineout ruck in the Bulls' quarter. Converted by Ruan Pienaar (39-31).
75:10 Cheetahs winger Malcolm Jaer scored a try in the corner after the ball was played wide across the field from a driving mall in the Bulls' quarter. Conversion missed by Ruan Pienaar (39-36).
Scorers:
Vodacom Bulls: Tries: Marco Jansen van Vuren, Elrigh Louw, Jan-Hendrik Wessels (2), Madosh Tambwe. Conversions: Johan Goosen (4). Penalties: Johan Goosen (2)
Toyota Cheetahs: Tries: Mihlali Mosi, Duncan Saal, penalty try, Cohen Jasper, Malcolm Jaer. Conversions: Ruan Pienaar (3). Penalties: Ruan Pienaar.
Teams:
Vodacom Bulls: 15. David Kriel, 14. Madosh Tambwe, 13. Lionel Mapoe, 12. Cornal Hendricks, 11. Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10. Johan Goosen, 9. Marco Jansen van Vuren, 8. Elrigh Louw, 7. WJ Steenkamp, 6 Arno Botha (c), 5. Ruan Nortje, 4. Janko Swanepoel, 3. Mornay Smith, 2. Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 1. Gerhard Steenekamp. Replacements: 16. Joe van Zyl, 17. Simphiwe Matanzima, 18. Jacques van Rooyen, 19. Jacques du Plessis, 20. Jaco Labuschagne, 21. Keagan Johannes, 22. Chris Smith, 23. Ruan Combrinck, 24. Schalk Erasmus, 25. Reinhard Ludwig, 26. Rynardt Roets.
Toyota Cheetahs: 15. Cohen Jasper, 14. Duncan Saal, 13. Evardi Boshoff, 12. Siya Masuku, 11. Malcolm Jaer, 10. Reinhardt Fortuin, 9. Ruan Pienaar (C), 8. Mihlali Mosi, 7. Aidon Davis, 6. Marnus van der Merwe, 5. Victor Sekekete, 4. Rynier Bernardo, 3. Aranos Coetzee, 2. Louis van der Westhuizen, 1. Schalk Ferreira. Replacements: 16. Wilmar Arnoldi, 17. Hencus van Wyk, 18. Conraad van Vuuren, 19. Reinier Viljoen, 20. Oupa Mohoje, 21. Tian Meyer, 22. David Brits, 23. Chris Smit.
Article by Francois du Toit