The Blue Bulls extended their unbeaten run in the Currie Cup with a thrilling 40-24 victory over the Pumas at Mbombela Stadium on Friday night.
It didn’t take long for the visiting team to assert their dominance in this first round cross pool clash.
After some initial end to end play, Bulls Cornel Smit picked up a long kick downfield to dot over the line for the first try of the game, with just nine minutes played, leaving Keagan Johannes to convert.
The Bulls were enjoying some good ball possession and constantly looking to put more pressure on the Pumas’ defensive line. And with 15 minutes on the clock, after some slick hands from the Bulls back-line, Sibongile Novuka finished off another well worked team try in the corner.
Johannes missed his kick to the right for a lead of 12 points midway through the first period.
Joe van Zyl powered his way over the try-line for another well-worked team effort, but the visitors didn’t have it all their own way as Eduan Swart put his side on the scoreboard, and with Clinton Swart’s conversion, the two sides went down the tunnel at half time with the Bulls leading 26-5.
The second half started with some end to end kicking from both sides; but the Pumas worked their way into the game, and their pressure paid off as Ross Braude flung a long pass out wide, leaving Darren Adonis to finish off the try.
Clinton Swart converted his conversion and then powered his way over the whitewash for another well worked Pumas try to narrow the deficit to nine points.
Tino Swanepoel was next to benefit from a rejuvenated Pumas as he raced to the line on 54 minutes, and when Swart converted, there was only two points between the two Currie Cup stalwarts.
There was, however, no doubt about the quality of the try next scored by the Bulls to put to bed any hope of an easy comeback. Canan Moodie’s offload to Devon Williams was world class and left his teammate an easy finish under the poles.
Chris Smit extended the lead again and Jaco van der Walt’s conversion gave his side a seemingly unassailable lead with 12 minutes to play.
The Pumas refused to give up and scored one more fantastic team try, only for the TMO to spot a forward pass as they ultimately went down by 16 points after seven rounds of games.
Scorers:
Pumas:
Tries: E.Swart, Adonis, C.Swart, Swanepoel
Conversions: C.Swart 2
Bulls:
Tries: Novuka, Williams, C.B.Smit, C.Smit Van Zyl 2
Conversions: Van der Walt, Johannes 4
