By Lucky Maree
It’s no secret that Jake White has taken over coaching the Bulls himself. It’s also no secret that he turned the Blue Bulls around in one match.
Not only did his team win a 40-3, six-try victory over the Griquas, but it was also significant, and obvious, how their attitude had changed.
But beating Griquas at Loftus Versveld is one thing, can they beat the Sharks in Durban with the humidity going through the roof?
The first score in what is obviously going to be a tight match comes when Bulls right-wing Sibongile Novuka scores on the right. Morne Steyn converts giving the Bulls a seven-point lead.
Just before halftime, Jan-Hendrik Wessels scores the Bulls’ second and a minute later Novuka scores his own second try. Just a reward for a great effort.
At halftime, the Bulls have scored three tries and the Sharks have only a single penalty to show for their efforts.
In the early part of the second half PK Sobahle scores for the Sharks but the Bulls respond through Novuka who scores a hattrick try.
With 20 minutes to go the Sharks shift into top gear but James Venter gets a yellow card that they can hardly afford. When Zee Mkhabela scores for the Sharks the game is suddenly back in the balance, but the Bulls hold on to win a tight match by four points.
Jake White and the Bulls will feel they have proven an important point, putting one over Neil Powell and the Sharks, but the Sharks were not humbled in a way. The return match will be epic.
Sharks (2 tries) 20-24 (4 tries) Blue Bulls.
Pictured above: Blue Bulls taking on the Sharks
Image source: Currie Cup
