Photo Credit: Gallo Images
The Lions knew exactly what the had to do to win and did just that. They ended the unbeaten run of the Bulls in style with a 26-17 bonus-point win while the Bulls who changed 12 players made too many mistakes.
It took the Lions less than 10 minutes to add 14 unanswered points to the scoreboard. Thereafter, the Bulls managed to wrestle their way back into the game. Although the Lions was in the lead after the first 20 minutes the Bulls were still 100% in the game.
During the last 20 minutes of the half, the Bulls came back at the Lions. Two "tries" by the Bulls were disallowed before the Bulls scored and ended the half, 05-14 behind.
The Lions started the second half with intend and added 6 points via penalties to their score to stretch their lead to 20-05. Two tries by the Bulls suddenly had them only with 17-20 behind and the momentum in their favour.
At 23-17 in the favour of the Lions and 20 minutes to go, it was anybody's game. The Lions successfully prevented the Bulls any space to move and closed out the game to win with 26-17.
Scorers:
Xerox Lions: Tries: Asenathi Ntlabakanye (2) Conversions: Luke Rossouw (2). Penalty: Luke Rossouw (4).
Vodacom Blue Bulls: Try: Stravino Jacobs, JC Nel, David Coetzer. Conversion: Qamani Kota
Xerox Lions U21: 1. Nkosi Masuku, 2. Darnell Osowagu, 3. Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 4. Emmanuel Tshituka, 5. Cal Smid, 6. Mark Snyman, 7. Sibusiso Sangweni, 8. Travis Gordon (c), 9. Runaldo Pedro, 10. Marc Morisson, 11. Ngia Selengbe, 12. Luke Rossouw, 13. James Mollentze, 14. Quan Horn, 15. Shaun Baxter. Replacements: 16. Dameon Venter, 17. Ebot Buma, 18. Herman Aggenbah, 19. Mandisi Mthiyane, 20. Franke Horn, 21. Hlumelo Ndudula, 22. Jordan Hendrikse, 23. Boitumelo Tsatsane.
Vodacom Blue Bulls U21: 15. Dylan Schwartz, 14. Gerswin Mouton, 13. Sebastian de Klerk, 12. Jay-Cee Nel, 11. Stravino Jacobs, 10. David Coetzer, 9. Keagan Johannes, 8. WJ Steenkamp, 7. Keenan Opperman, 6. Hendrik du Toit, 5. Janko Swanepoel, 4. Jordan van Wyk, 3. Eduan Swart, 2. Janco Uys, 1. Kudzwai Dube. Replacements: 16. Keano Hendricks, 17. Dewald Donald, 18. Wian Otto, 19. Uzile Tele, 20. Jaco Labuschagne, 21. Johan Mulder, 22. Ruben Liebenberg, 23. Qamani Kota.