Bulls ring in new era with win
MATCH REPORT: Ruan Nortje kicked off his reign as Bulls captain with a comfortable 43-26 win over Ospreys on Saturday at Loftus Versfeld.
The Round eight clash at Loftus Versfeld was delayed by 30 minutes due to lighting.
*To recap all the action CLICK HERE!!!!
And when the match eventually started the Bulls showed their ruthless streak as they ran in seven tries but the Ospreys managed to claim a bonus point as Rhys Henry went over for their fourth try late in the game.
After a cagey opening, the Bulls took advantage of their first visit into the Ospreys' half in the sixth minute.
They won a lineout just outside the Ospreys' 22 and quick hands through the backs gave Kriel space out wide on the right to touch down.
Their dominance was rewarded again six minutes later when flank Nizaam Carr, who rejoined the Bulls recently, popped up on the right wing to beat two would-be Welsh tacklers to make it 12-0.
It was a lineout again that proved to be the base for another clinical Bulls' move as fullback Wandisile Simelane cut through the Ospreys midfield before the ball found its way to overlapping flank WJ Steenkamp, who easily went over in the left corner.
Ospreys got themselves back into the game with an incisive move down the right wing.
Keiran Williams broke through two tackles before moving the ball back inside to flyhalf Jack Walsh to touch down under the posts and give himself an easy conversion.
Bulls almost hit back immediately as Simelane broke through three tackles but was held up over the line by desperate Ospreys defending.
However, the hosts were not to be denied claiming the bonus point.
Kriel seized on a loose ball from a ruck and passed inside to Lionel Mapoe, who drew in the Ospreys defence before a sublime offload sent Kriel in for his second try and an easy conversion for Chris Smith in front of the posts.
Ospreys were rewarded three minutes before the break after a spell of pressure deep in the Bulls half as Walsh's chip through was seized on by Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler to touch down.
Elrigh Louw then burrowed his way over as the Bulls finished the half strongly.
Ospreys battled in the second half and were rewarded as Williams twisted his way out of a tackle to score midway through the half.
The dominant hosts, though, wrapped it up 10 minutes from the end as a quick break resulted in scrumhalf Zak Burger setting up Ruan Nortje to power over.
Ospreys did manage to get a bonus point from a fourth try as Henry crossed after a scrum win but the Bulls responded with a late try from Burger confirming their dominance.
Man of the match: Ospreys flyhalf Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler deserves a mention for his impressive contribution, scoring a try and adding three conversions to his team's tally. Bulls Nizaam Carr was another standout performer, he was incredible on attack making a couple of carries. However our nod goes to No.8 Elrich Louw, who really impressed. He was a menace at the breakdown, stealing a couple of balls and was vital to his team's defence.
The scorers:
For Bulls:
Tries: Kriel 2, Carr, Steenkamp, Louw, Nortje, Burger
Cons: Smith 3, Steyn
For Ospreys:
Tries: Walsh, Thomas-Wheeler, Williams, Henry
Cons: Walsh 3
Teams
Bulls: 15 Wandisile Simelane, 14 David Kriel, 12 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 WJ Steenkamp, 6 Nizaam Carr, 5 Ruan Nortje (captain), 4 Janko Swanepoel, 3 Francois Klopper, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Replacements: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Ruan Vermaak, 20 Cyle Brink, 21 Izak Burger, 22 Morné Steyn, 23 Marco Jansen van Vuren.
Ospreys: 15 Max Nagy, 14 Luke Morgan, 13 Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler, 12 Keiran Williams, 11 Keelan Giles, 10 Jack Walsh, 9 Rhys Webb (captain), 8 Morgan Morris, 7 Will Hickey, 6 Ethan Roots, 5 Huw Sutton, 4 Bradley Davies, 3 Tom Botha, 2 Scott Baldwin, 1 Garyn Phillips.
Replacements: 16 Sam Parry, 17 Rhys Henry, 18 Ben Warren, 19 James Fender, 20 Jack Regan, 21 Reuben Morgan-Williams, 22 Luke Scully, 23 Cai Evans.
Referee: Ben Blain (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Cwengile Jadezweni (South Africa), Griffin Colby (South Africa)
TMO: Sam Grove-White (Scotland)
Referee: Ben Blain (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Cwengile Jadezweni (South Africa) & Griffin Colby (South Africa)
TMO: Sam Grove-White (Scotland)
*Additional reporting @URCOfficial