Reborn Bulls bury Province under try avalanche

South African Currie Cup leaders the Bulls ran title-holders Western Province ragged during the second half for a memorable 47-29 bonus-point triumph Saturday in Pretoria.

The Bulls top the table on points difference from Highveld neighbours the Golden Lions, who also collected a bonus point thanks to a 31-16 victory at the Sharks.

But the third round of the 124-year inter-provincial competition -- the oldest in rugby union -- belonged to 23-time champions the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld stadium.

Traditionally a kick-and-chase outfit, a partly new, reborn side under new coach Nollis Marais were barely recognisable from the Super Rugby side that struggled this season apart from the light blue strip.

Springbok Rugby World Cup preparations have deprived the Bulls, and several rivals, of their marquee players like legendary 38-year-old lock Victor Matfield.

But Marais has unearthed some gems to fill the gaps with full-back and official man-of-the-match Warrick Gelant excelling in the second half as an attacking spearhead.

"It was a fantastic match played in a wonderful atmosphere and I am so proud of my team," he told reporters.

"The coach has given us the freedom to express ourselves and scoring five tries against the defending champions was just great."

Left winger Jamba Ulengo was another to relish the ball-in-hand approach and claimed two tries, bringing his season tally to four.

Province, champions twice and runners-up once in the past three years, matched the Bulls for 50 minutes and led 26-15 without conceding a try.

But when Bulls centre Burger Odendaal caught the Cape Town team napping off a restart to dot down, the home side moved into overdrive.

Ulengo, fellow winger Travis Ismaiel, Ulengo again and Gelant scored with two of the tries coming while Province were a man short after winger Dillyn Leyds was sin-binned for tackling an airborne opponent.

"What a game," said Bulls skipper and loose forward Pieter 'Lappies' Labuschagne. "I give thanks to all my team-mates for a great performance.

"It is amazing what you can achieve on a rugby field with go-forward ball. The guys were absolutely awesome tonight."

Apart from seven tries in all, the fly-halves were in excellent goal-kicking form with Bull Tian Schoeman and rival Demetri Catrakilis slotting 19 points each.

The Lions, unlucky runners-up to Province last season, were 16-10 behind with 14 minutes left at Kings Park stadium in Durban.

But as the Sharks faded, centre Stokkies Hanekom and wingers Courtnall Skosan and Anthony Volmink crossed for tries that fly-half Marnitz Boshoff converted.

Cheetahs turned a one-point half-time advantage into a 31-9 victory over central region neighbours Griquas in Kimberley while five penalties from fly-half JC Roos enabled the Pumas to edge the Kings 15-13 in Port Elizabeth.
Source: AFP