Bulls bully Sharks' pups in 10-try rout
MATCH REPORT: The Bulls put down a big Currie Cup marker by recording a 64-0 whitewash of the defending-champion Sharks in a Round Two match at Loftus Versfeld, in Pretoria, on Saturday.
It was a massive difference in class between the two teams – the Bulls having a host of seasoned players on their roster and the Sharks made up of talented age-group team members.
It was the proverbial contest of men against boys.
Juann Else, Chris Barend Smit and Jeandre Rudolph (with two each) contributed six of the team’s `10 tries.
Sixteen turnovers, 12 penalties and 30 missed tackles by the Sharks tell a story all of their own.
In contrast, the Bulls dominated the set pieces and looked more secure with the ball in hand.
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The Bulls started like a house on fire, with Juann Else finishing off a powerful mail in the third minute. Fullback Boeta Chamberlain added the conversion – 7-0.
It was rinse and repeat for the Bulls, with prop Dylan Smith getting the second try after a line-out and a few phases. Chamberlain made it 14-0, after 10 minutes, with his second conversion.
The Sharks worked hard to get into the game and had their opportunities.
However, handling errors, breakdown steals, and lost line-outs kept them scoreless in the first quarter.
The Bulls turned up the heat, and in the 27th minute centre Chris Barend Smit finished off a well-worked team try which saw the forwards punch huge holes in the Sharks’ defence. Chamberlain made it 21-0 with his conversion.
Just past the half-hour mark, Jaco van der Walt launched a sublime chip-kick, with Chris Barend Smit running onto it for his second and the Bulls’ bonus-point (fourth) try. Chamberlain made it 28-0.
That was followed by another powerful maul and Else getting the armchair ride for his second try. Chamberlain made it 35-0, with half-time approaching.
No.8 Jeandre Rudolph started the second-half score – a try coming after sublime chip-kicks by scrumhalf Izak Burger and fullback Boeta Chamberlain. The No.15 missed his first kick of the match, 40-0.
Left wing Stravino Jacobs scored the next five-pointed as he stepped inside a couple of half-hearted attempted tackles to sprint 50 metres to the line. Chamberlain was back on target – 47-0 after 49 minutes.
The rout continued with Rudolph scoring after a brilliant Van der Walt break, with Chamberlain’s conversion taking them to 54-0.
Replacement Cornel Smit go the ninth try after a sublime backline move, with Chamberlain missing his second kick – 59-0.
The rout was completed with a try by rookie replacement JJ Theron in injury time – 64-0 the final-time score.
Man of the match: It would almost be unfair to single out individuals in such a dominant performance. Flyhalf Jaco van der Walt and scrumhalf Izak Burger had a field day behind a dominant pack. Junior Pokomela, captain Nama Xaba, Springbok Marvin Orie, rookie hooker Juann Else and Dylan Smith. My vote goes to Bulls No.8 Jeandre Rudolph, who gained 100-plus metres from his 13 carries, who a few turnovers and made eight tackles. His high workrate and energy epitomised the Bulls’ performance.
The scorers
For the Bulls
Tries: Else 2, D Smith, Chris Smit 2, Rudolph 2, Jacobs, Cornel Smit, Theron
Cons: Chamberlain 7
For the Sharks
None
Teams
Bulls: 15 Boeta Chamberlain, 14 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Chris Barend Smit, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Jaco van der Walt, 9 Izak Burger, 8 Jeandre Rudolph, 7 Junior Pokomela, 6 Nama Xaba (captain), 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Sintu Manjezi, 3 Francois Klopper, 2 Juann Else, 1 Dylan Smith.
Replacements: 16 Esethu Mnebelele, 17 Ruan Swart, 18 Jean Erasmus, 19 Dylan de Leeuw, 20 JJ Theron, 21 Steven Nel, 22 PA van Niekerk, 23 Cornel Smit.
Sharks: 15 Hakeem Kunene, 14 Phiko Sobahle, 13 Litelihle Bester, 12 Janco Purchase, 11 Jaco Williams, 10 Jean Smith, 9 Bradley Davids, 8 Nick Hatton (captain), 7 Jannes Potgieter, 6 Tino Mavesere, 5 Deon Slabbert, 4 Corne Rahl, 3 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 2 Bryce Calvert, 1 Phatu Ganyane.
Replacements: 16 Jacques Marais, 17 Simphiwe Ngobese, 18 Dian Heunis, 19 Gideon Koegelenberg, 20 Matt Ramao, 21 Ceano Everson , 22 Vusi Moyo, 23 Albie Bester.
Referee: Sean Muller
Assistant referees: Dylen November, Lulutho Matomela
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen
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