Stampeding Bulls hand SA Shield to Lions following Sharks thrashing
MATCH REPORT: The Bulls dealt a hammer blow to the Sharks’ play-off aspirations and strengthened their own with a comprehensive 41-12 victory in the United Rugby Championship over the Durban-based side.
The victory over JP Pietersen’s side also ensured that the Lions clinched the SA Shield for the first time in their history, following their 24-10 victory over the Stormers in the earlier match at Ellis Park.
The Bulls put on an attacking masterclass to outscore the visitors by seven tries to two in front of a 32,672-strong crowd at Loftus Versfeld.
The scoreline could’ve been worse for the Sharks, with Springbok flyhalf Handre Pollard missing three of his six conversion attempts, but otherwise the playmaker ran the show with an iron fist for his team.
The result sees the Bulls move into eighth place on the URC table with a game in hand.
*To recap all the action, CLICK HERE!
Following a stop-start affair from both sides, Springbok wing Canan Moodie opened the scoring with an individual moment of brilliance in the 14th minute with a chip and chase effort to dot down.
Sebastian de Klerk scored the Bulls’ second try in the 26th minute off a Handré Pollard crossfield kick following multiple phases of play.
JP Pietersen and Rassie Erasmus will have massive concerns after Bok scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse was helped off the field on a stretcher after the try had been scored with a head injury suffered whilst attempting to make a tackle. He was taken to the hospital for further assessment.
Embrose Papier extended the Bulls’ lead following a breakout by Harold Vorster, who found the Bok No.9 in space.
Papier had enough pace to outstrip the chasing Sharks defenders and go over the whitewash. Pollard slotted the conversion after missing his previous two attempts.
Another moment of brilliance in the form of De Klerk saw the winger chip and regather the ball before finding Papier on his outside, who grabbed a brace minutes before half-time.
The Sharks had an opportunity to strike back with the clock in the red with an attacking rolling maul, but the Bulls’ defence stood firm to push them into touch and head to the sheds for oranges.
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The Sharks drew first blood in the second half through Edwill van Der Merwe, who collected a smooth offload from Vincent Tshituka to dot down in the right-hand corner.
Hanro Jacobs’ 62nd-minute try brought the Sharks back within 10 points following Jordan Hendrikse’s conversion.
The Bulls replied almost immediately in the 65th minute with a try by Vorster, which Pollard set up to put the centre into space with the Bok No.10’s conversion restoring the 17-point lead.
Replacement Paul de Wet sealed the deal in the 68th minute to snipe around the fringes of the breakdown and go under the posts with Pollard adding the extras.
Vorster had the final say in the 78th minute with a try of his own after being a menace all evening for the opposition.
Scorers
For the Bulls:
Tries: Moodie, De Klerk, Papier 2, Vorster, De Wet, Vorster
Cons: Pollard 3
For the Sharks:
Tries: Van der Merwe, Jacobs
Cons: Hendrikse
Teams:
Bulls: 15 David Kriel, 14 Sebastian de Klerk, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Embrose Papier; 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Elrich Louw, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Morne Smith, 2 Jan Hendrik Wessels, 1 Alulutho Tshakweni
Replacements: 16 Marco van Staden, 17 Sti Sithole, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Cobus Wiese, 20 Jeandre Rudolph, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Willie le Roux, 23 Stravino Jacobs
Sharks: 15 Jaco Williams, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Andre Esterhuizen (captain), 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Jaden Hendrikste, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Tino Mavesere, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Eduan Swart, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Phatu Ganyane, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Corne Rahl, 20 Thomas Dyer, 21 Ross Braude, 22 Siya Masuku, Yaw Penxe
Referee: Morne Ferreira (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Griffin Colby (South Africa) & Jonathan Lottering (South Africa)
TMO: Quinton Immelman (South Africa)
