The Bulls assertive win over the Sharks symbolised a sign of things to come with John Mitchell in their camp. They will be looking to reaffirm this turnaround when they host the Kings this Saturday
The Blue Bulls face the Kings this weekend at Loftus Versfeld. The Bulls seem to have made a turnaround following last week’s victory in Durban while Kings made it five wins of the season after a trip to Argentina.
Kings vs Bulls | Saturday 8 July | Loftus Versfeld | 17:15
Kings 39/11 | Draw 33/1 | Bulls 3/10
Handicap
Kings (+11.5) 9/10 | Bulls (-11.5) 9/10
Blue Bulls
The Bulls assertive win over the Sharks symbolised a sign of things to come with John Mitchell in their camp. The Bulls started the season in a shambles but with the inclusion of Mitchell – albeit in a limited consultary basis at present – their turbulent run seems to have come to a halt.
Springbok centre pairing Jan Serfontein and Jesse Kriel’s have seemingly reinvented themselves, with the duo putting on a magnificent display during last week’s 17-30 victory in Durban.The midfield men have are laying a great platform for the likes of Warrick Gelant, who did his Springbok prospects no harm with a solid by grabbing a hat trick against the Sharks last Friday, freedom to express themselves.
Injury Woes
- Renaldo Bothma – Forearm fracture
- Tony Jantjies – Rib Fracture
after While the aforementioned will miss out through injury, there was some good news for the Bulls with Springboks Handre Pollard and Jamba Ulengo returning to training. Travis Ismaiel is also back on the training paddock. The trio are likely to play off the bench rather than start, however.
Recent Form
|
Bulls
|
Teams
|
Kings
|
|
13
|
Played
|
13
|
|
4
|
Won
|
5
|
|
0
|
Draw
|
0
|
|
9
|
Lost
|
8
|
|
276
|
PF
|
340
|
|
387
|
PA
|
419
|
|
-11
|
PD
|
-79
|
|
31
|
TF
|
43
|
|
50
|
TA
|
55
|
|
19
|
Points
|
23
|
Kings
The Kings traded blows with the Jaguares in a free flowing game that saw 61 points scored. Playmaker Lionel Cronje freed up his wingers, Wandile Mjekevu and Makazole Mapimpi, as the Kings continued to impress with ball-in-hand. While they were great on attack, the Kings will count their lucky stars that Argentine pivot Nicolas Sanchez missed three conversions as had the fly-half brought his kicking boots, then the visitors may have made the trip back from Argentina with just a losing bonus point rather than the four points for the win.
Despite the impressive victory, there is a lot of work for the men from the Eastern Cape to do if they want to upset a Bulls side going through a bit of a renaissance. Deon Davids’ men missed far too many tackles as five tries were scored against their four. They will need to sure up their defensive structure against the Bulls if they are to nullify the in-form Serfontein and Gelant.
Verdict: Bulls (-11.5) 9/10
The Kings will face a more solid Bulls outfit and will have to find the same spark they had in the first half of the season if the want to beat this remodelled Bulls team. And after a long haul flight back from Argentina, I can’t see the visitors doing this. Get on the Bulls to clear the handicap at 9/10!
Written by Lungelo Mdladla for @Hollywoodbets.net!
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