Match Details
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31 |
Kick off times:
7:05pm
(Local) Fri 7 Mar
4:05am
(AEDT) Sat 8 Mar
|
17 |
|
The Bulls made the most of the return of Bakkies Botha and Brian Habana in their 31-17 win over the Lions at Loftus Versfeld on Friday in Round 4 of the Investec Super 14.
While the Lions crossed for three tries to the Bulls two, Derick Hougaard added 21 points with the boot for the Bulls. Habana created attacking opportunities for the Bulls, and quick hands from Steyn and Hougaard resulted in two tries for Ndungane, both in the same corner.
The Bulls at times were ill-disciplined, and fullback Zane Kirchner and Bakkies Botha were simultaneously sent-off in the 30th minute, with Kirchner’s red card for an off-the-ball spear tackle, and Botha’s yellow for a head butt and using his head to clear out the ruck.
After 30 minutes, the Lions were down 0-17 after giving away six penalties. However, the uneven team numbers didn’t help the Lions, with them going into the half time break 20 points behind.
In the second half, they were forced to play high risk rugby, but the errors and inability to convert saw a frustrating second half. Lions’ scrum-half Jano Vermaak was rewarded for his quick thinking, when he stole the ball from the back of the scrum and created the first try, then scored himself from a quick tap and catching the Bulls defence unaware.
The Bulls head to Australia for the next round, playing the Reds in Brisbane, while the Lions are in Johannesburg to meet the Sharks.
BULLS 31
Tries : Ndungane 2
Pens : Hougaard 6
Drop : Hougaard
LIONS 17
Ties : Nobel, Vermaak, Benjamin
Cons : Vermaak
