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Cornal Hendricks of the Bulls with the ball during the Super Rugby Unlocked match between Emirates Lions and Vodacom Bulls at Emirates Airline Park on November 7, 2020 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Sydney Sehibedi / Gallo Images)
the Bulls further consolidated their position at the top of the Super Rugby Unlocked record on Saturday night with a 30-25 over the Lions that required much more resilience than some thought would have been needed.
HOW IT HAPPENED | Lions vs Bulls
While the Loftus men arguably played the percentages a bit better at Ellis Park, it was two moments of predatory sevens finishing off their band of Blitzboks that allowed them a breather.
Seven nationals captain Stedman Gans, operating from the outside center, kicked off the Bulls’ comeback after they were 10-15 behind at halftime with an acrobatic interception.
In many ways, it was quite comical, with the visitors knocking down an attacking lineout before the Lions engaged in a panic pass that allowed Gans to lunge and roll for a crucial score.
Kurt-Lee Arendse’s score was much more accomplished, and replacement wing Nizaam Carr threw a perfectly timed pass to his winger, who took a good step to score after a typically robust build.
It was all very difficult in a combination of the Lions that showed some real steel to seriously annoy their high-flying opponents.
His front row of Sti Sithole, Jaco Visagie and Carlu Sadie made life a nightmare for their counterparts Jacques van Rooyen, Joe van Zyl and Trevor Nyakane and, particularly in the first half, they were exemplary with their hasty and lying defense.
That mastery of the set pieces allowed them to gain a much better foothold than was thought possible when the attempts by center Burger Odendaal, who took advantage of a run and brilliant angle pass from fullback Gianni Lombard, and scrum-half Morne. van den Berg from a stifled maul put them on the lead going into the change.
But the Bulls’ increasingly famous patience and composure saw them hold off their opponents in the Final 40, as replacement props Gerhard Steenekamp and Marcel van der Merwe provided a bit more parity at scrum time. , while Captain Duane Vermeulen and Marco van Staden proved to be Herculean once. again in breakdowns.
However, there was still real cause for concern when midfielder Wandisile Simelane dragged the Lions back into the game with magnificent weaving and a determined run after wing Courtnall Skosan started a good counterattack.
That left the Bulls with a slight 23-22 lead before Arendse’s score made the difference.
Their goodbye next week, however, will be timely given concerns about the three injuries they sustained during the course of the procedure.
Exciting young blind end Elrigh Louw left the scene after just 11 minutes with a calf problem, Van Rooyen had his ankle tied tightly in the first half and did not return in the second half (although that could have been caused by his fights in the scrum) and Nyakane looked stunned after a blow to the neck from a carry.
Scorers:
Lions – 25 (15)
Attempts: Burger Odendaal, Morne van den Berg, Wandisile Simelane
Conversions: Elton Jantjies (2)
Penalties: Jantjies (2)
Bulls – 30 (10)
Attempts: Joe van Zyl, Stedman Gans, Kurt-Lee Arendse
Conversions: Morne Steyn (3)
Penalties: Steyn (3)
