Staff Reporter.
Vodacom Bulls ended the Sharks’ unbeaten Currie Cup run defeating them 35-21 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on a rainy Wednesday night.
The result has the Bulls leapfrogging the Sharks into second place on the Currie Cup table and close the gap on the Cheetahs to just two points.
Having named a powerful starting lineup featuring several first-choice Vodacom United Rugby Championship players, including Morne Steyn, Harold Vorster and captain Arno Botha, the Bulls were always favourites to claim a win over the Sharks.
Gert Smal’s team did not always have it their own way and trailed 18-14 at the break, but scored 21 points in the second half without conceding a try to take the game.
Despite losing both Celimpilo Gumede and Hyron Andrews to yellow cards in the first half, the Sharks did really well to take a lead into the break. The visitors got off to a dream start through Murray Koster’s try in the first 90 seconds, while Marnus Potgieter added a try against his former team just before half time.
However, the Bulls were just too strong in the second half as Keagan Johannes, Botha and Louw all scored to seal the victory.
Points-Scorers
Bulls 35 – Tries: Madosh Tambwe, Penalty Try, Keagan Johannes, Arno Botha, Elrigh Louw. Conversions: Morné Steyn (4).
Sharks 21 – Tries: Murray Koster, Marnus Potgieter. Conversion: Jordan Chait (1). Penalties: Chait (2), Inny Radebe (1).
Meanwhile the Cheetahs showed why they are top of the Currie Cup log, with a second-half blitz enough for the Free Staters to down Western Province on Wednesday in Bloemfontein and the return of several experienced players could not make the difference for the Lions in Kimberley as their winless Currie Cup campaign continued with a 49-17 loss to Griquas on Wednesday afternoon.