Bulls trample Reds on Loftus turf
It was by no means flawless – in fact their tendency to go off the boil at times is what cost them a bonus point.
However, they were more than good value for the five tries to three victory.
A brilliant Travis Ismaiel try set up the Bulls for the triumph and stretched an unbeaten Super Rugby run to six matches.
Seemingly without an attacking option when he received possession by the touchline just inside Reds' territory, wing Ismaiel found a way past fullback Karmichael Hunt.
He then outpaced flyhalf Jake McIntyre to dot down for a try flawless goal-kicker flyhalf Francois Brummer converted to give the hosts a 34-22 advantage.
Another try, from substitute scrumhalf Piet van Zyl, nine minutes later, which Brummer converted from in front of the posts, completed the scoring at Loftus Versfeld stadium.
With a 5-3 try advantage as time ticked away, the South Africans sought another to secure a bonus point and had a great chance after the full-time siren sounded.
Awarded a penalty, the three-time Super Rugby champions found touch five metres from the Australians' try-line and the expectation was that they would go for driving maul off the line-out.
But substitute hooker Jaco Visagie badly misjudged his throw, which flew past the last Bull in the line, and a hurried Reds kick into touch ended play.
It was a game of three phases with Bulls building a 27-8 lead after 51 minutes, followed by a period of Reds' dominance that trimmed the deficit to just five points.
Ismaiel then struck and the Reds were unable to stage another fightback in the first of two matches on a South African tour.
Since suffering a heavy opening-round loss to fellow South Africans Western Stormers in Cape Town, Bulls have won five matches and drawn one
Former champions Reds made an even worse start and fired coach Richard Graham, bringing in Nick Stiles as an interim replacement.
Improved form culminated in a shock 28-27 triumph over title-holders Otago Highlanders of New Zealand in Brisbane last weekend.
They have been a bogey side for Bulls, winning 10 of 17 previous clashes, but can have no complaints about losing as they were second best for much of the match, especially at scrum time.
Reds did provide an usual moment in first half stoppage time as flank Liam Gill landed a 40-metre drop goal, only the sixth in Super Rugby this season and the first not scored by a flyhalf.
Prop Marcel van der Merwe, hooker and skipper Adriaan Strauss, flank Pieter 'Lappies' Labuschagne, Ismaiel and Van Zyl scored a try each for Bulls. .
Brummer succeeded with all seven kicks at goal for a 16-point haul from five conversions and two penalties.
Centre Samu Kerevi scored two tries and wing Chris Feauai-Sautia one for Reds and flyhalf Jake McIntyre kicked two conversions and Gill a drop-goal.
Man of the match: Liam Gill at times tried to do it all by himself, even slotting a drop-goal. Young Jake McIntyre produced a composed performance in the No.10 jersey, while Samu Kerevi was their most potent attacking weapon. Pieter Labuschagne is fast regaining his best form, while Adriaan Strauss and Trevor Nyakane had some strong bursts. Francois Brummer was hot and cold, but had some sublime moments. Jesse Kriel also looked to be regaining some form. However, the most productive player for the Bulls was flank Jannes Kirsten, who put in some monster hits on defence to complement his enormous workrate – winning our award.
The scorers:
For the Bulls:
Tries: Van der Merwe, Strauss, Labuschagne, Ismaiel, Van Zyl
Cons: Brummer 4
Pens: Brummer 2
For the Reds:
Tries: Feauai-Sautia, Kerevi 2
Cons: McIntyre 2
DG: Gill
Teams:
Bulls: 15 Sarel Marais, 14 Travis Ismaiel, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Jan Serfontein, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Francois Brummer, 9 Rudy Paige, 8 Arno Botha, 7 Jannes Kirsten, 6 Pieter Labuschagne, 5 Rudolph Snyman, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Marcel van der Merwe, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1 Trevor Nyakane.
Replacements: 16 Jaco Visagie, 17 Lizo Gqoboka, 18 Werner Kruger, 19 Marvin Orie, 20 Deon Stegmann, 21 Piet van Zyl, 22 Tian Schoeman, 23 Dan Kriel.
Reds: 15 Karmichael Hunt, 14 Chris Feauai-Sautia, 13 Samu Kerevi, 12 Anthony Fainga'a, 11 Eto Nabuli, 10 Jake McIntyre, 9 Nick Frisby, 8 Jake Schatz, 7 Liam Gill, 6 Hendrik Tui, 5 Ben Matwijow, 4 Cadeyrn Neville, 3 Greg Holmes, 2 Andrew Ready, 1 James Slipper (captain).
Replacements: 16 Saia Fainga'a, 17 Sef Fa'agase, 18 Sam Talakai, 19 Lukhan Tui, 20 Curtis Browning, 21 James Tuttle, 22 Sam Greene, 23 Ayumu Goromaru.
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
TMO: Johan Greeff (South Africa)
