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Cornal Hendricks runs off. (Gallo images)
Not exactly a revelation, but the Bulls proved once again that pragmatism is king in knockout rugby when they beat the Lions 26-21 in its Currie Cup Semifinal at Loftus on Saturday.
SCORECARD | Currie Cup Semifinal – Bulls v Sharks
Surprisingly, it is only the second time they have come to the fight for the sacred tournament masterpiece since 2009.
In a match in which fears about how the sweltering heat of Pretoria would affect the pace of the contest were realized, the superior composure and game management of Jake White’s troops proved to be forceful against neighbors who were simply too ambitious to the occasion and the conditions.
The Bulls laid the groundwork for their victory in a bizarre first half, which lasted to 53 minutes due to a litany of breaks in the game, where they ensured that the few times they got into the Lions half, they scored. points.
Excellent tackling and the cunning tactics of flying veteran Morne Steyn, hallmarks of the hosts’ game.
It was Steyn’s good chip that allowed 20-year-old winger Stravino Jacobs to score the first of his two attempts, after the Bulls center played a pivotal role in setting up a sprint run.
However, the temperature began to take its toll and several players had to go outside to assess blood or head injuries, almost literally absorbing any semblance of continuity in the game.
As a competition, the game desperately needed the halftime break for both teams to catch their breath and evaluate again.
To some extent, it did.
After an early penalty from Steyn, the Lions got back into the fray with two attempts in as many minutes.
First, a bit of determination in the transport of the ball created some continuity for a move that came to life once openider Jaco Kriel dominated three defenders, allowing the wily Willem Alberts to take the lead after beating the Bulls tackle, Trevor Nyakane.
Lions running back Andre Warner showed his team the value of percentage rugby with a decent box throw, which Jacobs missed and was attacked by replacement wing Francke Horn, who feeds speedy midfielder Wandisile Simelane for the try. .
It was the kind of event that could have spooked the Bulls, but didn’t.
Instead, they displayed commendable discipline and calm while seemingly frustrating the visitors, who seemed anxious that they couldn’t capitalize on their brief burst.
The yellow cards for both blocks, Alberts and Marvin Orie, for professional fouls proved decisive as the Lions lost their momentum.
Bulls substitute hooker Johan Grobbelaar led a brilliant maul from a penalty lineout, while Jacobs, after hitting over the line moments earlier, crossed the line after the hosts brought down an opposition scrum. of six men.
The Lions held the ball for most of the final ten minutes, but were frustrated by excellent home defense.
Scorers:
Bulls – (11) 26
Attempts: Stravino Jacobs (2), Johan Grobbelaar
Conversion: Morne Steyn
Penalties: Steyn (3)
Lions – (3) 21
Attempts: Willem Alberts, Wandisile Simelane, Burger Odendaal
Conversion: Elton Jantjies (3)
