By Lucky Vince Pienaar
➤ The Bulls are known to have a formidable – some would say unbeatable – forward pack, but these days they also have a backline that can strike terror into the heart of all defenders.
Until exactly 20 minutes on the clock, the Lions hold a slender lead by a single penalty. But then the menace of the Bulls backs turns into points. Embrose Papier sends the backline away for Canan Moodie to eventually score a classic backline try. (Lions 3-5 Bulls)
The Lions can consider themselves unlucky as a long-range penalty from Sanele Nohamba strikes the upright and ten minutes into the second half a Lions try is disallowed as a long pass from Sanele Nohamba to Richard Kriel is adjudged forward.
Then the game comes alive. A dominant forward maul leads to a convincing try for Akker van der Merwe followed by relentless pressure from the Bulls forwards which leads to a try for Marcel Coetzee. (Lions 3-20 Bulls)
Quan Horn’s scrambling try is just reward for the Lions fightback, but David Kriel returns the compliment with the try of the day. Bulls hold on for victory.
Lions 10-25 Bulls
Tries Lions: Quan Horn
Tries Bulls: Canan Moodie, Akker van der Merwe, Marcell Coetzee, Daniel Kriel
➤ Despite the massive humidity in Durban, the Stormers play at speed and run hard at the Sharks. They are rewarded in the 16th minutes when Joseph Dweba crosses the line after magical Stormers handling that leaves the Sharks wondering where the ball is – and just six minutes later Warrick Gelant sets up a try for Paul de Wet. (Sharks 0-12 Stormers)
Finally the Sharks block the flood and come up with a strong try of their own through Ox Nche but Sacha Mngomezulu replies with a penalty from 45m out. (Sharks 7-15 Stormers)
For the first ten minutes of the second half, the Sharks are in it, but a try by Ben Loader, somewhat against the run of play, gives the Stormers a useful lead. (Sharks 7-22 Stormers)
In the final 30 minutes the Sharks’ fortunes seem to change. James Venter scores a try after phase after phase of sustained attack. (Sharks 14-22 Stormers)
A Stormers penalty after 70 minutes seems to leave the match out of reach of the Sharks but the Sharks respond with a converted try for Bongi Mbonambi.
Sharks 21-25 Stormers
Tries Sharks: Ox Nche, James Venter, Bongi Mbonambi
Tries Stormers: Joseph Dweba, Paul De Wet, Ben Loader
Pictured above: Mercurial Sanele Nohamba played a great game for the Lions, but couldn’t prevent the Bulls victory
Image Source: Rugby365
