Bulls are back in business

MATCH REPORT: The Bulls put themselves firmly back in the Currie Cup play-off race with a bonus-point 40-20 win over a willing Griquas team in Kimberley on Saturday.

Even though the Bulls are still in seventh place, they are now just one win away from the fourth-placed Western Province with four rounds remaining.

The Bulls laid the platform for the win with their powerful set of forwards, which gave them a steady supply of quality possession.

The Bulls got out of the blocks in double-quick time - Embrose Papier being put through with a great try assist from Elrigh Louw. Chris Smith added the conversion.

The Bulls continued to use their forwards to dominate the first-half exchanges, but Lubabalo Dobela put the home team on the board with a 15th-minute penalty.

However, the persistent pressure finally told as Johan Grobbelaar scored from close range, after a series of forward raids. Smith added the conversion - 14-3 on the half-hour mark.

The visitors continued to pile on the pressure with their pack and while the defence was desperately trying to hold out, it was to no avail as Elrigh Louw crossed for a third try.

The conversion was wide, making it 19-3 at the half-time break.

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Early in the second half, Harold Vorster cut the Griquas defence open, with Grobbelaar finishing off the move for his second try and the Bulls' bonus-point score. Smith added the conversion for a 26-3 lead.

Moments later Johan Mulder intercepted and had a clean run to the tryline. The conversion was wide - 8-026 after 44 minutes.

A pinpoint kick then saw Marco Jansen van Vuren score the fifth try, with the conversion putting pressure on the hosts at 33-8 with 20 minutes to go.

Griquas were not done yet. Great hands by Griquas saw Jay-Cee Nel get his team's second try, with the conversion narrowing the gap to 15-33.

With just five minutes remaining Stephan Smit picked up from the base of the ruck to score the team's third try.

However, the Bulls finished with a flurry - wonderful hands setting up Simphiwe Matanzima for his team's sixth try. Smith added the conversion for a 40-20 win.

The scorers

For Griquas

Tries: Mulder, Nel, Smit

Con: Dobela

Pen: Dobela

For the Bulls

Tries: Papier, Grobbelaar 2, Louw, Jansen van Vuren, Matanzima

Cons: Smith 5

Teams

Griquas: 15 Ashlon Davids, 14 Rosko Specman, 13 Jay-Cee Nel, 12 Tertius Kruger, 11 Sako Makata, 10 Lubabalo Dobela, 9 Johan Mulder, 8 Carl Els, 7 Hanru Sirgel (captain), 6 Thabo Ndimande, 5 Dylan Sjöblom, 4 Derik Pretorius, 3 Janu Botha, 2 Janco Uys, 1 Kudzwai Dube.

Replacements: 16 Gustav du Rand, 17 Eddie Davids, 18 Cebo Dlamini, 19 Johan Retief, 20 Stephan Smit, 21 Reagan Oranje, 22 George Whitehead, 23 Sango Xamlashe.

Bulls: 15 David Kriel, 14 Sibongile Novuka, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Marco Jansen van Vuren, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Nizaam Carr, ‘6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Ruan Nortje (captain), 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.

Replacements: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Charlie Ewels, 20 Cyle Brink, 21 Keagan Johannes, 22 Chris Barend Smit, 23 Cornal Hendricks.

Referee: Griffin Colby

Assistant referees: Local appointments

TMO: Ben Crouse