Staff Reporter.
Zak Burger and the Kriel brothers scored tries as the Bulls claimed a bonus-point victory over the Lions in Pretoria on Sunday.
The result saw the game-shy Bulls, who last played a Currie Cup match on 25 June, climb up to second place on the table, one point off the Sharks, while the Lions are at the bottom on the log, joint on 10 points with the Cheetahs.
The Bulls flew into a 14-0 lead thanks to tries from Harold Vorster and Burger’s first score, before the Lions hit back through standout flank Vincent Tshituka.
The first-half continued to be closely fought as the two teams exchanged scores when Johan Grobbelaar went over for the Bulls, before Courtnall Skosan marked his return to the Lions starting lineup with a try. The Bulls had the final say of the half as Burger went over for his second try to give the hosts a 14-0 lead.
The Bulls would take control of the second half as backline brothers Richard and David Kriel scored quickfire tries, giving them a comfortable 26-point buffer and all but securing the victory.
The Lions did make a late charge to secure their own four-try bonus-point, with prop Sti Sithole scoring their third try in the 77th minute, but that would only serve as a consolation.
Teams:
Bulls
15 David Kriel, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Richard Kriel, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Zak Burger, 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Muller Uys, 6 Marcell Coetzee (Captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Walt Steenkamp, 3 Jacques van Rooyen, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Simphiwe Matanzima
Substitutes:16 Schalk Erasmus, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Janko Swanepoel, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Keagan Johannes, 22 Chris Smith, 23 Sibongile Novuka, 24 Jan-Hendrik Wessel, 25 Ruan Delport, 26 Johan Mulder, 27 FC du Plessis
Lions
15 Wandisile Simelane, 14 Rabz Maxwane, 13 Manuel Rass, 12 Dan Kriel, 11 Courtnall Skosan; 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Andre Warner; 8 Francke Horn (captain), 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Roelof Smit, 5 FP Pelser, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 PJ Botha, 1 Ruan Dreyer.
Substitutes:16 Jaco Visagie, 17 Sti Sithole, 18 Jannie du Plessis, 19 Reinhard Nothnagel, 20 Ruhan Straeuli, 21 Sibusiso Sangweni, 22 Fred Zeilinga, 23 Stean Pienaar.
Meanwhile Western Province broke a two-game losing streak with a much-need victory over the Pumas in Nelspruit on Sunday.
WP have been struggling for form, winning just two of their five matches to date and coming into this clash on the back of consecutive defeats against Griquas and the Cheetahs. But they overcame a tough challenge on Sunday to claim 37-18 bonus-point victory.
Other Results:
Cheetahs 30-47 Sharks.