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Bulls show South Africa who's boss

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Bulls recorded their third win of the season when they beat the Sharks 37-14 at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

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The Bulls scored three tries, with the Sharks crossing the tryline twice. However, Handre Pollard was again in fine form with the boot scoring 22 of the Bulls’  points.

The Bulls have now recorded wins against all the other South African teams in their conference after they beat the Stormers in Round One and the Lions in Round Three.

After starting the tournament well, the Sharks have now suffered their second defeat in a row.

The Bulls opened the scoring with a Pollard penalty in the fourth minute.

The home side was dominant with ball in hand in the opening exchanges and they kept the Sharks under pressure. Pollard them doubled his team’s score with another penalty in the tenth minute.

The Bulls extended their lead in the 20th minute when some great passing from a scrum saw Jesse Kriel run in for the first try of the game, which Pollard converted.

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It was increasingly becoming a one-team show with the Sharks struggling to get a foothold in the game and they found themselves further behind before half-time mark when Pollard slotted another two penalties.

The Bulls almost scored another try before the break, but wing Cornal Hendricks could not hold onto the ball near the Sharks’ tryline after a great chip kick and chase.

Instead, the Bulls had to settle for a 19-0 lead at half-time.

The Sharks started the second half a different team and they found themselves back into the game with a well-worked try from Jeremy Ward. Robert du Preez added the two points from the conversion.

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But the Sharks’ celebrations were short-lived with Bulls hitting back with some scintillating rugby resulting in Rosko Specman running in for his team’s second try.

Pollard then compounded the Sharks’ woes a few minutes later when he converted his fifth penalty of the match to make it a 20-point ball game.

With the clock winding down, the visitors managed to keep themselves in the game after Dan Du Preez crashed over the Bulls’ tryline from close range in the 55th minute.

However, the Bulls would have the final say on the scoreboard with Pollard landing a drop goal before Specman scored his second try of the game seconds before full-time to seal a convincing win.

Man of the match: Schalk Brits rolled back the years once again with another strong performance, while Handre Pollard kept his team on the front foot with his boot and decision making. However, the award is shared between Hanro Liebenberg and Duane Vermeulen whowere both immense up front.

The scorers:

For Bulls:
Tries: Kriel, Specman 2
Cons: Pollard 2
Pens: Pollard 5
DG: Pollard

For Sharks:
Tries: Ward, D du Preez
Cons: R du Preez 2

Teams:

Bulls: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Dylan Sage, 11 Rosko Specman, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Ivan van Zyl, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Tim Agaba, 6 Jannes Kirsten, 5 Jason Jenkins, 4 Hanro Liebenberg, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Schalk Brits, 1 Lizo Gqoboka.
Replacements: 16 Corniel Els, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 19 Thembelani Bholi, 20 Paul Schoeman, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Manie Libbock, 23 Divan Rossouw.

Sharks: 15 Rhyno Smith, 14 Sibusiso Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Jeremy Ward, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Louis Schreuder (captain), 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Jacques Vermeulen, 6 Wian Vosloo, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Gideon Koegelenberg, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Fezokhule Mbatha, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Ruben van Heerden, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Andre Esterhuizen, 23 Curwin Bosch.

Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Egon Seconds (South Africa), Divan Uys (South Africa)
TMO: Christie du Preez (South Africa

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