Lucky Maree
The Bulls allegedly have a policy of “doing their best” in away matches and doing everything to win home games. As the players come onto the field at Loftus Versfeld, that thinking is about to face its toughest test.
Except for an early penalty, it takes until the 20th minute before anything happens – and it’s a disallowed try!
Chris Smith, playing in the run-on team for the Bulls, plays a beautiful chicken wing pass out of the back of the hand to send Johan Goosen (playing as fullback) away over the line – but it’s a forward pass.
With the first half about to end, the dam wall seems to break with Marcell Coetzee going over under the posts – but the Sharks respond with a seven pointer from Marnus Potgieter.
By halftime it is not a match of many highlights, but two beautiful tries make up for that.
From the beginning of the second half Aphelele Fassi puts in what could be a man of the match performance that leads to a great try. After 60 minutes the Sharks have a one point lead. Two minutes later an easy penalty gives the Bulls a two-point lead, but a Sharks penalty restores their lead. It’s a one point ball game.
Something has to give – and it does through Cornal Hendriks who sets Embrose Papier up for a score under the posts, and a minute later Johan Goosen sends Stravino Jacobs to score a seven pointer. With eight minutes to go, the Bulls have a 13 point lead.
Each team scores one converted try each, giving the Bulls an excellent victory.
Kudos to Jake White for giving Chris Smith the chance to play the full match at number 10. As we all know, flyhalf is not the Springboks’ strongest suit heading into the World Cup but both Chris Smith and Boeta Chamberlain can be happy with their disciplined performances.
Bulls:
Tries: Marcel Coetzee, Embrose Papier, Stravino Jacobs, Jan Hendrik Wessels
Conversions: Four
Penalties: four
Sharks:
Tries: Marnus Potgieter, Aphelele Fassi, Phendulani Buthelezi
Conversions: three
Penalties: two
Bulls 40-27 Sharks
Pictured above: Aphelele Fassi
Image Source: SArugbymag
