By Lucky Vince Pienaar
➤ With 25 minutes left to play, it was clear that the Bulls were going to beat the Sharks in the final pool match of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship match. But they left it to the last minute to score that vital fourth try that put them at the top of the log, if only briefly.
In a star-studded team, it seems to often fall to Akker van der Merwe, the shortest man (but not the smallest) on the field, to come on and do the necessary. He scored minutes after coming on, then scored the fourth try with minutes to go.
For a team that truly had nothing to play for, the Sharks played one of their best VURC matches. As everybody knows, Eben Etzebeth is the real inspiration in the team, but even without him on the field, they gave as good as they got, although they only managed two scores.
➤ The roar of the Lions will not be heard in the VURC again this year as they just slipped under the bar of the last eight for the championship.
To be in contention to keep the Ospreys out of the top eight, they needed the bonus point try, but they only managed two tries, falling short by one solitary log point.
The Stormers never looked like losing. Playing with 14 players for 30 minutes of the match after Angelo Davids had a rush of blood to the head with a high tackle that left the ref no option but to show him the red card. While it was not a flashy victory the Stormers often scored, as they beat the Lions by five points, maintaining their fifth place on the log.
It’s a case of “job done” for the Stormers. John Dobson and his team will be happy with the outcome. Being in the bottom half of the last eight, the Stormers will not have home matches from here on in, but they’re in with a shout.
Hollywoodbets Sharks 14-26 Vodacom Bulls
Sharks tries: Masuka, Richardson
Bulls tries: Kriel, Grobbelaar, Van der Merwe (2)
DHL Stormers 29-24 Emirates Lions
Stormers tries: Venter, Davids, Roos, Smith
Lions tries: Horn, Pretorius
Pictured above: Another good match for Willie le Roux as Bulls score convincing win
Image source: Bulls Rugby
