Bulls run rampant in Bloem
The Bulls outscored their opponents by six tries to three in a clinical display in their Currie Cup opener that left the Cheetahs chasing shadows for large parts of the game.
The Cheetahs fans were full of expectations when they dominated the opening stages of the game.
Both teams are under new management, and were fielding many youngsters in their respective teams.
The Bulls however had a few experienced veterans and they produced some sterling performances.
Springbok Francois Hougaard was the best player on the pitch.
His workrate was exceptional and he showed his ability to finish, with two well taken tries.
He has certainly sent out a strong message to the Springbok selectors.
The Cheetahs drew first blood through a Johannes Prinsloo try in the fifth minute when he broke off a rolling maul, their most effective tactic in the match.
After that try, the match was dominated by a blue wave of attack.
Scrumhalf Shaun Venter scored the first Bulls try.
They consequently scored five more tries.
The Cheetahs made far too many handling errors and sometimes their decision making left much to desire.
Tian Schoeman gave a solid performance at flyhalf for the Bulls, scoring 22 points with the boot, and this would have pleased new head coach Nollis Marais.
Warrick Gelant and Travis Ismaiel also chipped in with a try each to cap off a good day for the Bulls Debutants.
Man of the match: There were many Blue Bulls who put their hands up for this award, but nobody were as impressive as scrumhalf Francois Hougaard, who sent Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer a timely reminder of his skill and class.
The scorers:
For the Free State Cheetahs:
Tries: Prinsloo, Venter, Blommetjies
Cons: Marais, Zeilinga
For the Blue Bulls:
Tries: Ulengo, Stegmann, Hougaard 2, Gelant, Ismaiel
Cons: Schoeman 5, Fouche
Pens: Schoeman 4, Fouche
Teams:
Free State Cheetahs: 15 Coenie van Wyk, 14 Clayton Blommetjies, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Ryno Benjamin, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Neil Marais, 9 Shaun Venter, 8 Gerhard Olivier, 7 Henco Venter, 6 Johannes Prinsloo, 5 Francois Uys (captain), 4 Willem Serfontein, 3 Luan de Bruin, 2 Neil Rautenbach, 1 Caylib Oosthuizen.
Replacements: 16 Jacques du Toit, 17 Nicolaas van Dyk, 18 Burrie Uys, 19 Hugo Reniel, 20 Tienie Burger, 21 Zee Mkhabela, 22 Fred Zeilinga.
Blue Bulls: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Travis Ismaiel, 13 William Small-Smith, 12 Burger Odendaal, 11 Jamba Ulengo, 10 Tian Schoeman, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Hanro Liebenberg, 7 Pieter Labuschagne (captain), 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Jacques du Plessis, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Dean Greyling.
Replacements: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Nqoba Mxoli, 18 Rudolph Snyman, 19 Roelof Smit, 20 Ivan van Zyl, 21 Louis Fouche, 22 Dries Swanepoel.
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen
Assistant referees: Rasta Rasivhenge, Jaco Pretorius
TMO: Willie Vos
