Griquas dismantle youthful Bulls in Bloem
MATCH REPORT: The Griquas bounce back with a comfortable 41-7 win over the Bulls on Wednesday in Bloemfontein.
On the back of a defeat to Emerging Ireland, the Griquas produced a ruthless second-half display for the victory in the Challenge Series.
They outscored a very young Bulls side seven tries to one.
It was not a very exciting start, both teams failed to ignite the encounter. Griquas also found themselves dealing with ill-discipline in the opening minutes.
Carl Els spent 10 minutes in the sin bin for repeated infringements.
However, despite the numeral advantage the Bulls still failed to utilise their opportunities.
The Bulls enjoyed possession and territory, but after 20 minutes it was still scoreless.
The first try was eventually scored in the 32nd minute. Griquas centre Tertius Kruger linked up with wing Reagan Oranje, who dived over the line for the five-pointer.
Former Pumas flyhalf Eddie Fouche pushed his kick wide and the score remained 5-0.
Griquas were rewarded with a penalty just on the stroke of half-time. No.8 Michael Amiras took a quick tap and charged over. Fouche again missed a kick and Griquas took a 10-0 lead to the lockers.
The Bulls had a chance to score a try, Quewin Nortje showed great skills to round Eddie Fouche however there was no downward pressure from the Bulls fullback and they remained scoreless.
The Bulls, similarly to the first half, created loads of opportunities but squandered all of them and instead it was the Griquas who extended their lead.
Oranje made a great break beating three defenders before he fell short. The Griquas recycled the ball well and Albert Liebenberg dived over for the third try of the match.
Fouche, who had a troubling display, finally added the extras for the 17-0 lead.
With the Bulls on the back foot, the Griquqas showed some amazing skills. Godfrey Muzanargwo made a great line break before putting Amiras in the gap for the try. 24-0
With 10 minutes on the clock, the Griquas set up another attack and go inside the red zone, after multiple phases Oranje dived over the line for his second try.
George Whitehead added the extras for the 31-0 lead.
Finally, the Bulls break their duck, from a short line-out, the Bulls wing Larry Nkonki spotted a gap and charged over the line. Rowan Cloete added the easy conversion.
However, the celebration was short-lived as Griquas added another try. Vaughn Isaacs, benefiting from a Bulls’ mistake, sneaked over the line, 36-7.
The side from Kimberley set up a final attack and a great grubber by Whitehead found Fouche, who went over the line for the final try of the and the commanding victory.
The scorers:
For Griquas
Tries: Oranje 2, Amiras 2, Liebenberg, Isaacs, Fouche
Cons: Fouche 2, Whitehead
For Bulls:
Try: Nkonki,
Con: Cloete
Teams
Griquas: 15 Malcolm Jaer, 14 Reagan Oranje, 13 Jay-Cee Nel, 12 Tertius Kruger, 11 Luther Obi, 10 Eddie Fouche, 9 Johan Mulder, 8 Michael Amiras, 7 Carl Els, 6 Niel Otto (Captain), 5 Albert Liebenberg, 4 Godfrey Muzanargwo, 3 Janu Botha, 2 Janco Uys, 1 Kudzwai Dube.
Replacements: 16 Sean Swart, 17 Melusi Mtabela, 18 Justin Forwood, 19 Johan Retief, 20 Thabo Ndimande, 21 Stephan Smit, 22 George Whitehead, 23 Vaughen Isaacs.
Bulls: 15 Quewin Nortje, 14 Adrian Joubert, 13 Munashe Dukuzwa, 12 Carlton Banies, 11 Larry Nkonki, 10 Rowan Cloete, 9 Tiaan Fourie, 8 Hardus Rothmann, 7 Merwe Oliver, 6 Rynard Mouton, 5 Marco de Witt, 4 Hanno Theunissen, 3 Rob Hunt, 2 Tiaan Lange, 1 Cebo Dlamini.
Replacements – from: 16 Tielman Nieuwoudt, 17 Reuben van der Nest, 18 Sebastian Lombard, 19 Ghudian van Reenen, 20 Neels Volschenk, 21 Neil le Roux, 22 Gert Steyn, 23 Franco Knoetze, 24 Gcino Mdletshe, 25 Eric Basson, 26 Compion von Ludwig.
*Photo credit: @Cheetahs