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The Vodacom Bulls had to battle a brave team of Griquas to claim a 30-23 victory in Pretoria on Saturday. DYLAN JACK reports.
Despite claiming victory, the Bulls looked like a shadow of the team that edged out the Sharks in the same spot a couple of weeks ago. It seemed as if the hosts had been carried away by the hype of the match and tried to force passes and volleys when they weren’t on, seemingly forgetting to win the battle in the process.
Whether it’s because of that or because of the comical jerseys clash that had both teams playing in a shade of blue in the first half, it wasn’t the kind of performance Jake White would have wanted in his first official game in charge.
The credit must go to the Griquas, who made a phenomenal defensive change and pushed the Bulls into collapse, as if they were ready to cause a surprise until the final 20 minutes.
Given the nature of the contest that preceded this game, which involved another rookie side in the Pumas conceding more than 50 points to the Cheetahs, the Bulls were expected to walk this one.
However, the Griquas certainly came to Loftus to play, opening the scoring via a George Whitehead penalty from mid-high and the first attempt by new Australian pick James Verity-Amm and putting the tail up from there.
The Bulls were able to make an attempt just before the break when Jason Jenkins broke the line and put in his blocking partner Ruan Nortje to try. It seemed like it would give the home team the psychological boost they desperately needed.
Coming out in the second half in a fresh white uniform, the Bulls would have expected a change in tactics. However, it seemed their jerseys were the only change as the Bulls lost Tim Agaba to a yellow card, before Griquas fullback Anthony Volmink dived on another forced volley to score an interception attempt.
It was clear White had seen enough when he rang the changes and the Bulls shifted their focus a lot, focusing their efforts on their scrum, which was fueled by Springbok Lizo Gqoboka’s performance off the bench. That produced almost immediate results when the Bulls won a penalty. Soon after, game day captain Arno Botha pushed his way down the line and at the time, it seemed like the Griquas had finally run out of puff.
However, Griquas kept his hopes up for one last attempt with a surprising result when Verity-Amm scored his second attempt. Unfortunately, for visitors, it just wasn’t meant to be.
The Bulls now face a week of hard work when they face the Cheetahs, who were in commanding attack form against the Pumas.
Bulls – Attempts: Ruan Nortje, penalty test, Arno Botha. Conversions: Morne Steyn (2). Penalties: Steyn (2).
Griquas – Attempts: James Verity-Amm (2), Anthony Volmink. Conversions: George Whitehead. Penalties: Whitehead (2).
Bulls – 15 Gio Aplon, 14 Travis Ismaiel, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Cornal Hendricks, 11 David Kriel, 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Ivan van Zyl, 8 Tim Agaba, 7 Arno Botha (c), 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Corniel Els, 1 Jacques van Rooyen.
Subs: 16 Johan Grobbelaar, 17 Lizo Gqoboka, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Sintu Manjezi, 20 Elrigh Louw, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Chris Smith, 23 Marco Jansen van Vuren.
Griquas – 15 Anthony Volmink, 14 Daniel Kasende, 13 Harlon Klaasen, 12 Andre Swarts, 11 James Verity-Amm, 10 George Whitehead (c), 9 Zak Burger, 8 Niell Jordaan, 7 Stefan Willemse, 6 Carl Els, 5 Victor Sekekete , 4 Ian Groenewald, 3 John-Roy Jenkinson, 2 HJ Luus, 1 Mox Mxoli.
Subs: 16 Alandre van Rooyen, 17 Bandisa Ndlovu, 18 Madot Mabokela, 19 Adre Smith, 20 Zandre Jordaan, 21 Gideon van der Merwe, 22 Ashlon Davids, 23 Berton Klaasen.
Photo: Lee Warren / Gallo Images
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