Bulls show URC title credentials despite Bok injury
REPORT: The Bulls showed their United Rugby Championship title credentials with a comfortable 45-21 win over Cardiff at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
If Saturday’s clash in Pretoria told us anything, it was that the Bulls have the quality, experience, and durability to finally secure a URC title.
The Bulls have beaten all four Irish sides this season, secured a win over last season’s winners, the Glasgow Warriors, and have now outplayed Cardiff.
*To recap all the action CLICK HERE!!!
They outscored the Welsh side six tries to three for the bonus-point win.
The victory means the Bulls have officially booked a home quarterfinal spot.
However, head coach Jake White will certainly not be happy with his team’s closing minutes, which saw them concede two tries in a space of four minutes.
The Bulls also have an injury concern in the shape of Johan Goosen. The flyhalf left the field in the 11th minute with what appears to be a knee injury.
From the kick-off, the Bulls showed clear intent and raced to a 24-0 lead after 25 minutes of play.
A successful penalty by Johan Goosen unlocked the Bulls’ onslaught. They were dangerous on attack.
A strong carry by Johan Grobbelaar and a great kick-pass by Canan Moodie saw Harold Voster dive over the line for the first try of the match.
Goosen added the conversion for a 10-0 lead after 8 minutes.
Unfortunately, the flyhalf’s match was cut short after he picked up what appeared to be a knee injury in the 11th minute. The Springbok was replaced by Keagan Johannes.
Nonetheless, the Bulls showed no signs of the setback.
Moodie caused a lot of havoc for the Cardiff defence and got his team inside their 22 before the ball was quickly recycled, and Wilco Louw crashed over the line. Johannes took over the kicking duties and added the conversion for a 17-0 lead.
Soon, 17-0 turned into 24-0 when Moodie got his own name on the scoreboard after some incredible work under the high ball. Johannes added another conversion.
As the match reached its halfway mark, Cameron Hanekom powered over the line after a formidable scrum by the Bulls, who had a comfortable 31-0 lead at the break.
It was a very tough first half for Cardiff, who were nowhere in the game. They struggled with the altitude at Loftus Versfeld. They failed to hold on to the ball, and handling errors dominated much of their play.
The Bulls continued their dominance in the second stanza. Springbok veteran Willie le Roux’s kick bounced kindly for youngster Sebastian de Klerk, who showed great pace before dotting down for a 38-0 advantage.
Alex Mann finally broke the deadlock when he stretched over in the corner despite the efforts of Johannes and Zak Burger. South African Tinus de Beer added the conversion for seven points.
The back three of the Bulls were ruthless. Le Roux produced another amazing try assist, sending De Klerk on his way for the hosts’ sixth try of the day.
It was a better display by Cardiff in the second half, as they pushed for a losing bonus point. Teddy Williams scored the visitors’ second try after a successful driving maul. Dan Thomas added the conversion.
With minutes left on the clock, Gabe Hamer-Webb added a third as Cardiff had all the momentum in the closing minutes.
The Welsh side was determined to get that much-needed fourth try, but the Bulls survived the onslaught and managed to secure the ball before kicking it into the stands, to the relief of the Bulls supporters.
Man of the match: There were a lot of standouts in the Bulls set-up. Wilco Louw deserves a mention, while Sebastian de Klerk and Willie Le Roux were also in good shape. De Klerk scored two tries and Le Roux set up three tries. However, our nod goes to Canan Moodie. The wing showed his class from the kick-off with his lethal run out wide. He was incredible under the high ball and also scored a try.
The scorers:
For Bulls:
Tries: Voster, Louw, Moodie, Hannekom, De Klerk 2
Cons: Goosen, Johannes 5
Pens: Goosen
For Cardiff:
Tries: Mann, Williams, Hamer-Webb
Cons: De Beer, Thomas 2
Bulls: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 David Kriel, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Sebastian de Klerk, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Zak Burger, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Ruan Nortje (captain), 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johann Grobbelaar, 1 Jan-hendrik Wessels.
Replacements: 16 Akker van der Merwe, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Jannes Kirstin, 20 Marco van Staden, 21 Keagan Johannes, 22 Devon Williams, 23 Stedman Gans.
Cardiff: 15 Cam Winnett, 14 Josh Adams, 13 Harri Millard, 12 Ben Thomas (captain), 11 Gabe Hamer-Webb, 10 Tinus de Beer, 9 Johan Mulder, 8 Alun Lawrence, 7 James Botham, 6 Alex Mann, 5 Rory Thornton, 4 Josh McNally, 3 Keiron Assiratti, 2 Evan Lloyd, 1 Corey Domachowski.
Replacements: 16 Liam Belcher, 17 Danny Southworth, 18 Rhys Litterick, 19 Teddy Williams, 20 Dan Thomas, 21 Taulupe Faletau, 22 Aled Davies, 23 Rory Jennings
Referee: Eoghan Cross (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Griffin Colby (South Africa), Dylen November (South Africa)
TMO: Andrew Brace (Ireland)
Picture credit: @BlueBullsRugby
