Bulls scramble against brave Boland
MATCH REPORT: The Bulls prepared for their United Rugby Championship derby against the Sharks next weekend with a hard-fought victory over Boland in Wellington on Friday.
Johan Ackermann’s side scored five tries on their way to a 31-24 victory.
Cheswill Jooste scored a brace for the visitors with Embrose Papier, Nizaam Carr and Demitri Erasmus also getting on the scoresheet.
Boland were pumped up from the start, matching the Bulls in the tight-loose and keeping a close watch on the outside backs, who were given little space.
Scrumhalf Papier had a sublime first 40 minutes before being replaced by Zak Burger, the Bulls using the opportunity to mix and match.
Papier scored early on, but Boland hit back with two tries in the first of three first-half “chukkas”.
The match was an opportunity to sharpen up after a three-week hiatus.
Jooste’s introduction after the break was an inspired decision – he scored moments later – and the Bulls gradually took charge.
His second try, in the 52nd minute, gave them the lead for the first time in the match, an advantage they never conceded.
Two more scores, by Nizaam Carr and Demitri Erasmus, finally sealed the deal.
The scorers:
For Bulls:
Tries: Papier, Jooste 2, Carr, Erasmus
Cons: Johannes, Groenewald 2
For Boland: TBC
Teams:
Bulls: 15 Devon Williams, 14 Sebastian de Klerk, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Keagan Johannes, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Jeandre Rudolph, 7 Mpilo Gumede, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Jan-Hendrik Wessels.
Replacements: 16 Alulutho Tshakweni, 17 Juann Else, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 JF van Heerden, 20 Cobus Wiese, 21 Marco van Staden, 22 Reinhardt Ludwig, 23 Nizaam Carr, 24 Zak Burger, 25 Wilie le Roux,26 Paul de Wet, 27 Jan Serfontein, 28 Canan Moodie, 29 Cheswill Jooste, 30 David Kriel, 31 Sti Sithole, 32 Kutha Mchunu, 33 Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg, 34 Ruben Groenewald, 35 Demitri Erasmus.
Boland: 15 Domenic Smit, 14 Riaan Louw, 13 Xavier Mitchell, 12 Chris Smit, 11 Jade Stighling, 10 Juan Mostert, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Thurlow Marsh, 7 Kwana Dimaza, 6 Sauleigh Arendse, 5 Marlyn Williams, 4 Jeandre Leonard, 3 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 2 Llewellyn Classen, 1 Dewald Maritz.
Replacements: 16 Mthokosizi Gumede, 17 Joshua Eras, 18 Doctor Booysen, 19 Micheal Mutombo, 20 Micheal Benadie, 21 Taine Booysen, 22 Khwezi Mafu, 23 Keenan Opperman, 24 Chriswill September/ Bentley Geldenhuys, 25 Thurlon Williams, 26 Cornell Engelbrecht, 27 Jurick Lewis, 28 Erik Lamprecht, 29 Duren Hoffman, 30 Jayden Bantom.
Source: @BlueBullsRugby
Photo credit: Boland Rugby Media
