Bonus-point Bulls hold out slippery Sharks

MATCH REPORT: The Bulls held out in the face of a determined second-half comeback to record a bonus-point 24-20 Currie Cup Round Six win over the Sharks at Kings Park, in Durban, on Friday.

Wing Sibongile Novuka scored a hat-trick for the visitors in a game marked by scrappy play and littered with errors on both sides.

In fact, it was a penalty that ended the Sharks’ hopes of completing an amazing comeback.

In the end, they had to settle for a losing bonus point.

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Morné Steyn missed an early penalty attempt, with both teams making too many unforced errors in the opening exchanges.

Fred Zeilinga eventually opened the scoring with a penalty in the 14th minute.

The Bulls replied with a fortuitous try by Sibongile Novuka – a high bomb by Morné Steyn that bounced favourably. Steyn added the conversion – 7-3.

There was another extended period of scrappy play, as neither team coped well with the windy conditions.

The Bulls used their maul to great effect and Hooker Jan Hendrik Wessels got the second try. Steyn was wide with the conversion – 12-3.

A charge down by Reniel Hugo resulted in a scramble, with Tinotenda Mavesere getting the ball over the line. The call went to the TMO, who confirmed the referee’s call that the ball was knocked on over the line.

Minutes before half-time James Venter was yellow-carded for a dangerous high tackle and the Bulls wasted no time in exploiting their numerical advantage. A few powerful carries by the forwards opened space out wide, with wing Sibongile Novuka streaking down the right flank for their third try. Steyn added the conversion for a 19-3 half-time lead.

The Sharks – now playing with the strong wind at their backs – started their comeback early in the second half – Phikolomzi Sobahle finishing off a move that involved a good run by scrumhalf Bradley Davids. Zeilinga added the conversion – 10-19.

Zeilinga slotted a penalty to make it a six-point (13-19) game, before Novuka went over in the left corner for his hat-trick try and the Bulls’ bonus-point try. Steyn was again just wide of the mark with the conversion – 24-13.

The Bulls produced a number of sublime plays, but errors at crucial times prevent them blowing out the lead and left the back door open for the hosts.

And they grabbed it with both hands. A solid scrum five metres from the Bulls line set up replacement Zee Mkhabela to stroll over on the left wing. Another replacement, Lionel Cronje, added the conversion – 20-24, with just on 10 minutes remaining.

The Bulls wasted another golden opportunity when Wandisile Simelane kicked a meaningless grubber five metres from the Sharks’ line with plenty of support at hand. That was followed by a silly penalty at the breakdown and one in the tackle, as the visitors repeatedly handed possession back to the Sharks.

However, it was the Sharks who committed the final and most crucial error after the hooter for full-time had sounded – a player going off his feet five metres from the line, with the Bulls’ defence looking very vulnerable.

That allowed the Bulls to hang on for a nervy, but deserved, 24-20 win.

The scorers

For the Sharks
Tries: Davids, Mkhabela
Cons: Zeilinga, Cronje
Pens: Zeilinga 2

For the Bulls
Tries: Novuka 3, Wessels,
Cons: Steyn 2

Yellow card: James Venter (Sharks, 37 – foul play, dangerous high tackle)

Teams

Sharks: 15 Nevaldo Fleurs, 14 Phikolomzi Sobahle, 13 Josh Jonas, 12 Murray Koster, 11 Yaw Penxe, 10 Fred Zeilinga, 9 Bradley Davids, 8 James Venter, 7 Ockie Barnard, 6 Tinotenda Mavesere, 5 Reniel Hugo (captain), 4 Corne Rahl, 3 Hanro Jacobs, 2 Dan Jooste, 1 Dian Bleuler.
Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Khwezi Mona, 18 Khutha Mchunu, 19 Athi Khethani, 20 Mpilo Gumede, 21 Tiaan Fourie, 22 Lionel Cronje, 23 Zee Mkhabela.

Bulls: 15 Franco Knoetze, 14 Sibongile Novuka, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Chris Barend Smit, 11 Wandisile Simelane, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Izak Burger, 8 Nizaam Carr (captain), 7 Reinhardt Ludwig, 6 Cameron Hanekom, 5 Janko Swanepoel, 4 Jacques Du Plessis, 3 Sebastian Lombard, 2 Jan Hendrik Wessels, 1 Simphiwe Matanzima.
Replacements: 16 Jacques van Rooyen, 17 Tiaan Lange, 18 Robert Hunt, 19 Phumzile Maqondwana, 20 WJ Steenkamp, 21 Bernard van der Linde, 22 Cornal Hendricks, 23 Kabelo Mokoena.

Referee: AM Jacobs
Assistant referees: Local
TMO: Egon Seconds

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