Staff Reporter.
The Vodacom Bulls smashed the defending-champion Sharks 64-0 in a round two match at Loftus Versfeld stadium, in Pretoria, on Saturday evening.
The win see coach Phiwe Nomlomo’s team move to the top of the log with a full haul of 10 log points from their first two matches, above the Lions on points difference. The Sharks are rock bottom.
The Bulls charged into a 14-0 lead after 10 minutes following tries by hooker Juann Else and loosehead prop Dylan Smith, both from lineout mauls.
As the match approached the half-hour mark, the Sharks did well to hold up No 8 Jeandre Rudolph over the line, but centre Chris Smit then dotted down twice in quick succession.
Else scored his second try from a lineout maul, and fullback Boeta Chamberlain’s fifth conversion made it 35-0 at the break.
The onslaught continued in the second half.
Rudolph scored after just two minutes before winger Stravino Jacobs sprinted 50m to ram home the hosts’ dominance.
Rudolph’s second brought up the 50, and replacement Cornel Smit then crossed for the Bulls’ ninth.
At that stage, it looked like the Bulls were on track for 80, but the Sharks dug deep and did well to only concede one more try, to debutant JJ Theron late on.
It won’t get any easier for the Sharks with a home match against the Cheetahs next Saturday, while the Bulls host the Pumas at Loftus.
Bulls – Tries: Juann Else (2), Dylan Smith, Chris Smit (2), Jeandre Rudolph (2), Stravino Jacobs, Cornel Smit, JJ Theron. Conversions: Boeta Chamberlain (7).
Meanwhile ADT Fidelity Lions made it two full house five log point hauls in a row at the start of this Carling Currie Cup campaign as they scored a comprehensive 40-19 win over DHL Western Province in Johannesburg on Saturday afternoon.