The Vodacom Bulls hosted the Sigma Lions at Loftus Park in Pretoria in their return to action in round 6 of the Carling Currie Cup. Although the Sigma Lions made major changes to their team that lost to the Griquas, it was not enough to stop the Bulls who outplayed them in all aspects of the game to beat them 40-21.
Although the Lions managed to score points mostly against the run of play, they were unable to stamp their authority on the game. The Bulls dominated the overall possession and territory and their forwards set a good platform for the backline to attack from. The constant pressure applied by the Bulls coupled to their very good defence resulted in their convincing win.
02:57 The Bulls opened their scoring tally with a try by Harold Vorster after a driving maul from a lineout penalty 5 metres from Lions try line. Converted by Johan Goosen (7-0).
05:50 Zak Burger scored the Bulls’ second try after an excellent mid-field break by . Lionel Mapoe. Converted by Johan Goosen (14-0).
09:20VincentTshituka opened the Lions’ scoring tally with a well-worked try after phase play in the Bulls’ quarter from a penalty lineout. Converted by Jordan Hendrikse (14-7).
20:00 The Bulls enjoyed more territory and possession in the first 20 minutes. They relentlessly pressured the Lions into making mistakes in their quarter and managed to convert their efforts into points.
21:10 Johan Grobbelaar crashed over the Lions’ try line after driving maul phase play just inside the Lions’ try line. Converted by Johan Goosen (21-7).
31:10 Courtnall Skosan scored the Lions’ second try after a brilliant and long-running break from the Lions’ quarter by Vincent Tshituka. Converted by Jordan Hendrikse (21-14).
34:21Zak Burger made a clever line break from a driving maul 2 metres from the Lions’ try line to score the Bulls’ fourth try. Converted by Johan Goosen (28-14).
43:11 Yellow card was given to Arno Botha from the Bulls after cynical play in a ruck whilst defending the Bulls’ try line.
40:00 The Bulls continued to dominate all aspects of the play up to and including extra time in the first half, when the Lions were unable to score after repeated attacks on the Bulls’ try line.
54:50 Bulls winger Richard Kriel scored a try in the corner after collecting a clever cross-kick to beat the Lions’ defense. Conversion missed by Johan Goosen (33-14).
60:00 The Bulls started to find more gaps in the Lions defence due to good pressure play and kept the Lions in their half.
62:10 David Kriel scored the Bulls’ 6th try close to the corner after good backline play by the Bulls which he also converted (40-14).
72:21 Lions replacement Sti Sithole crashed over the Bulls try line after repeated phase play when the Lions finally managed to get into the Bulls quarter. Converted by Jordan Hendrikse (40-21).
Scorers:
Vodacom Bulls: Tries: Harold Vorster, Zak Burger, Johan Grobbelaar, Zak Burger, Richard Kriel, David Kriel.Conversions: Johan Goosen (4), David Kriel.
Sigma Lions: Tries: Vincent Tshituka, Courtnall Skosan, Sti Sithole. Conversions: Jordan Hendrikse (3).
Teams:
Vodacom Bulls: 15. David Kriel, 14. Cornal Hendricks, 13. Lionel Mapoe, 12. Harold Vorster, 11. Richard Kriel, 10. Johan Goosen, 9. Zak Burger, 8. ElrighLouw, 7. Muller Uys, 6. Arno Botha (Capt), 5. Ruan Nortje, 4. Walt Steenkamp, 3. Jacques van Rooyen, 2. Johan Grobbelaar, 1. SimphiweMatanzima. Replacements: 16. Schalk Erasmus, 17. Gerhard Steenekamp, 18. Mornay Smith, 19. JankoSwanepoel, 20. WJ Steenkamp, 21. Keagan Johannes, 22. Chris Smith, 23. SibongileNovuka, 24. Jan-Hendrik Wessel, 25. RuanDelport, 26. Johan Mulder, 27. FC du Plessis.
Sigma Lions: 15.WandisileSimelane; 14.RabzMaxwane, 13.Manuel Rass, 12.Dan Kriel, 11.CourtnallSkosan; 10.Jordan Hendrikse, 9.Andre Warner; 8.Francke Horn (capt.), 7.Vincent Tshituka, 6.Roelof Smit, 5.FP Pelser, 4.Ruben Schoeman, 3.Carlu Sadie, 2.PJ Botha, 1.Ruan Dreyer. Replacements: 16. Jaco Visagie, 17. StiSithole, 18. Jannie du Plessis, 19. ReinhardNothnagel, 20. RuhanStraeuli, 21. SibusisoSangweni, 22. Fred Zeilinga, 23. SteanPienaar.
Article by Francois du Toit.