Unbeaten Bulls race clear at the top

MATCH REPORT: The Bulls cemented their place at the top of the Currie Cup standings with a 55-21 hammering of the winless Griffons in a Round Six match at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

The home team also maintained their unbeaten run in the 2024 edition of South Africa's premier domestic competition, outscoring the visitors by nine tries to three.

The game was decidedly scrappy, with occasional bursts of energy, but a glaring lack of continuity.

Dominating territory and possession, the Bulls' biggest concern will be 19 turnovers they conceded and the 22 missed tackles.

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The Bulls, after a couple of early mishaps, opened the scoring in the sixth minute - left wing Sibongile Novuka going over in the right wing, after a well-worked move from a line-out. Flyhalf Henry Chamberlain was wide of the mark with the conversion - 5-0.

The Bulls went close on several occasions, but on two of those they conceded turnovers less than five meters from the Griffons' line.

The home team was eventually rewarded for the constant pressure when captain Cornal Hendricks strolled over in the 25th minute, after a few solid phases. This time Chamberlain was successful with the conversion - 12-0.

That was followed quickly with Novuka getting what he thought was his second try with a stunning 60-metre solo effort. However, the TMO spotted a forward pass by Hendricks.

Minutes later Springbok Canan Moodie got the third try for the home team - a turnover in their half shifted to the right and some good interplay left the Griffons' defence exposed. Chamberlain was again wide with the conversion attempt - 17-0.

Griffons captain Keanu Vers finally got his team on the board as he stepped through some very weak defensive attempts to cross the line. Wing Qamani Kota added the conversion - 7-17 just past the half-hour mark.

The Bulls replied with the bonus-point try from hooker Juann Els, when he broke away from a powerful maul. Chamberlain was successful with this conversion - 24-7, which is how it stayed till half-time.

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Scrumhalf Izak Burger sniped over from close range after a series of forward raids to open the Bulls' second-half scoring. Chamberlain added the conversion - 31-7.

On the hour mark veteran centre Lionel Mapoe went over after some sustained pressure and phase-play. Jaco van der Walt, taking over the kicking from the misfiring Chamberlain, added the conversion - 38-7.

The Griffons, to their credit, kept trying and their endeavour was rewarded with a try by replacement Cheslin Arendse. Kota added the conversion - 14-38.

Replacement Keagan Johannes went over in the left corner, before Curtly Thomas replied for the visitors - with a four-try bonus point now the Griffons' only hope at 21-43.

Nama Xaba, important from Western Province in the off-season, scored next. Van der Walt was again wide with the conversion, as the Bulls' kicking woes continued.

Novuka completed the try-scoring with his second, as the Bulls went past the 50-point mark. Van der Walt's conversion made the final score 55-21.

The scorers

For the Bulls

Tries: Novuka 2, Hendricks, Moodie, Els, Burger, Mapoe, Johannes, Xaba

Cons: Chamberlain 3, Van der Walt 2

For the Griffons

Tries: Vers, Arendse, Thomas

Cons: Kota 3

Teams:

Bulls: 15 Canan Moodie, 14 Henry Immelman, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Cornal Hendricks (captain), 11 Sibongile Novuka, 10 Henry Chamberlain, 9 Izak Burger, 8 Mihlali Mosi, 7 Cyle Brink, 6 Nama Xaba, 5 Jannes Kirsten, 4 Sintu Manjezi, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Juann Els, 1 Tielman Nieuwoudt

Replacements: 16 Tiaan Lange, 17 Dylan Smith, 18 Jacques van Rooyen, 19 Merwe Olivier, 20 Celimpilo ‘Mpilo’ Gumede, 21 Keagan Johannes, 22 Jaco van der Walt, 23 Stravino Jacobs

Griffons: 15 Kyle Cyster, 14 Qamani Kota, 13 Keanu Vers (captain), 12 Chris Hollis, 11 Gurshwin Wehr, 10 Dewald Human, 9 Keegan Schaefer, 8 Calla Pienaar, 7 thomas Ongera, 6 Thato Mavundla, 5 Matthew Gray, 4 Rian Olivier, 3 Moango Ngundue, 2 Chadley Wenn, 1 Mthokozisi Gumede

Replacements: 16 Willem van den Hever, 17 Zolani Jacobs, 18 Buhle Nojekwa, 19 Lugisile Mbiko, 20 Curtly Thomas, 21 Mingo Piti, 22 Cheslin Arendse, 23 Duan Pretorius

Referee: Peter Martin (Ireland)

TMO: Quinton Immelman

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