The Vodacom Bulls claimed a convincing 38-6 victory over their hosts the Southern Kings at the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium.
In a physical opening exchange, it was the home team, who saw more of the ball. They were creative with ball in hand, and eventually the pressure told.
The Vodacom Bulls claimed a convincing 38-6 victory over their hosts the Southern Kings at the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium.
In a physical opening exchange, it was the home team, who saw more of the ball. They were creative with ball in hand, and eventually the pressure told.
The Bulls were forced to concede an early penalty, which was converted by Kings Flyhalf Louis Fouche against his former team.
That score seemed to awaken the Bulls. They soon capitalized on a Kings mistake, which allowed Springbok and local player Jan Serfontein to score the opening try of the match. Fly half Tian Schoeman missed the opportunity to add the extra’s as the visitors took a narrow 5-3 lead.
The Bulls, who seemed slow to get off the starting blocks, eventually grew in confidence. They scored yet another try, with winger Jamba Ulengo diving over in the corner. This time Schoeman made no mistake from the kicking tee, increasing the lead to 10-3.
The Bulls then started controlling proceedings. They managed to keep the ball well, before fullback SP Marais, expertly cut through the Kings defence, to score under the poles. Schoeman effortlessly adding the extra’s to make it 17-3.
The Kings were not to be deterred though, as they started fighting their way back into the game. They protected the ball well, getting themselves into a good field position. Just before halftime they forced another penalty from the Tshwane outfit, and Fouche converted to make it 17-6.
The Bulls received a penalty after the hooter and decided to go searching deep into Kings Territory for a line out. That move backfired, however, as the Kings emerged with the ball and ended up almost scoring a try themselves. Some cynical play at the breakdown earned Bulls lock RG Snyman a yellow card.
With play heading well over the allocated 40 minutes the Kings earned themselves four more penalties, choosing the scrum with all four without any success.
The Bulls were really up against it now, as they unbelievably lost a second player, for cynical play after the hooter. The Kings thought they had their try, in what proved to be the final act of the half, only for referee Shuhei Kubo to claim the Kings player was held up. 17-6 to the visitors at half time.
The first points of the second half came from the Bulls. Former Sevens star Jamba Ulengo profiting from the Kings failure to secure the high ball just outside their 22. A neat exchange between him and Springbok Jesse Kriel , allowed the winger to score his second of the night. Schoeman converting, to stretch the lead to 24-6.
A Bulls side, often criticised for not playing entertaining rugby, put their critics to bed, as lock RG Snyman finished of a brilliant exhibition of running rugby to score yet another try. The big man seemed determined to make up for his yellow card earlier. 31-6 as Schoeman added the extras.
After a period of defending, the Bulls finally broke loose with SP Marais picking up a loose ball to score in the corner for his second of the evening. The extra two points were added by replacement flyhalf Francois Brummer, who made it 38-6.
That would prove to be the final score, as the Vodacom Bulls come away from Port Elizabeth with a bonus point victory.
sport@grocotts.co.za
