Bulls clinch win over World Cup bound Namibia
MATCH REPORT: The Bulls gave Namibia coach Allister Coetzee food for thought ahead of the World Cup in two weeks after their 43-30 victory over the Welwitschias at the Vegkop Stadium in Windhoek on Saturday.
New recruit Mpilo Gumede impressed on debut as he helped the Bulls register the victory with his man of the match performance to help the Tshwane outfit register an impressive seven-try victory over the Welwitschias.
The herd went into the break with a six-point lead19-13 and when the two teams returned, the visiting outfit pushed their hosts for more points and absorbed pressure in their own 22 with great measure and tact.
“This was a great defensive performance as much as it was an attacking match. The boys showed great spirit on attack but they were even more impressive on the defensive line,” Director of Rugby, Jake White commented.
“The Namibians put us under immense pressure on the cusp of the break but the boys held their own and on the dying minutes of the second half, with their fans behind them, they were on us again and we responded well yet again.
“I am proud of their performance, yes the game is pre-season and there are certain elements that we need to polish but otherwise, the boys were impressive.”
White confirmed that his side did not suffer any serious injuries.
“We are happy that we are all walking away from this with no major concerns, just bumps and minor bruises at the moment. We will know once the doctors perform their assessments but at face value, everyone is healthy and that bodes us well as we continue with our work in the pre-season period.”
“For us, this game was as important as it was for the Namibians because they needed the competition to help fine-tune their skill, we were happy to be there for them because that is what good neighbours do.
“I am sure Allister (Coetzee) got some good answers from his side and we wish them well as they head to France this coming week.”
Scorers:
For the Bulls:
Tries: Deon Slabbert, WJ Steenkamp, Mpilo Gumede, Stravino Jacobs, Cornal Hendricks, Tiaan Lange, Bernard van der Linde
Cons: Jaco van der Walt 4
For Namibia: TBC
Namibia: 15 Andre van der Berg, 14 Gerswin Mouton, 13 Alcino Izaacs, 12 Le Roux Malan, 11 Chad Plato, 10 Cliven Loubser, 9 Jacques Theron, 8 Adriaan Booysen, 7 Max Katjijeko, 6 PJ van Lill (captain), 5 Tiaan de Klerk, 4 Mahepisa Tjeriko, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Wicus Jacobs, 1 Andre Rademeyer.
Replacements: 16 Louis van der Westhuizen, 17 Casper Viviers, 18 Herman Agenbag, 19 Haitembu Shifuka, 20 Ruan Ludick, 21 Peter Diergaardt, 22 Johan Luttig, 23 Obert Nortje, 24 Oela Blaauw, 25 Lesley Klim, 26 Lloyd Jacobs, 27 Hillian Beukes, 28 Danco Burger.
Bulls: 15 Sergeal Petersen, 14 Sibongile Novuka, 13 Cornal Hendricks, 12 Chris Barend Smit, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Jaco van der Walt, 9 Zak Burger, 8 Mpilo Gumede, 7 Mihlali Mosi, 6 WJ Steenkamp, 5 Reinhardt Ludwig (captain), 4 Deon Slabbert, 3 Robert Hunt, 2 Jan-Hendrik Wessel, 1 Dylan Smith.
Replacements: 16 Jacques van Rooyen, 17 Tiaan Lange, 18 Simphiwe Matanzima, 19. Ruan Venter, 20 Phumzile Maqondwana, 21 Bernard van der Linde, 22 Cameron Hanekom, 23 Juan Mostert, 24 Eugene Hare, 25. Kabelo Mokoena.
Referee: TBC
Assistant referees: TBC
TMO: TBC
