Vital bonus-point victory as Bulls beat Griquas
Griquas (15) 27 Bulls (22) 53
Griquas - Tries: Zander du Plessis (2), Hanru Sirgel, Michael Amiras; Conversions: Zander du Plessis (2); Drop Goal: Fiela Boshoff
Bulls - Tries: Simphiwe Matanzima, Cornal Hendricks, Walt Steenkamp, Arno Botha, Canan Moodie, Bismarck du Plessis, Keagan Johannes; Conversions: Chris Smith (6); Penalties: Chris Smith (2)
● Apart from a spell during which the Griquas stood their ground in the early exchanges, the Bulls were never in danger of losing this Currie Cup try-fest in Kimberley yesterday.
In the end, it was always going to be the Bulls that unleashed experienced campaigners like Marcell Coetzee, Cornal Hendricks, Arno Botha and Bismarck du Plessis.
The Griquas were comprehensively blown away by seven tries to four as the Bulls claimed a vital bonus-point victory that moved them to second spot on the table.
The Bulls got the scoreboard going inside 10 minutes when Simphiwe Matanzima crossed over, but their lead was short-lived as their hosts roared back with a try of their own by Zander du Plessis. The home side took the lead through a drop goal by Fiela Boshoff but the Bulls levelled matters a few minutes later through Smith’s first penalty.
In coming minutes, the Bulls started to show their superiority with two tries in quick succession through Hendricks and Walt Steenkamp to tighten their grip on the proceedings.
The Griquas reduced the deficit to seven points shortly before the break when Hanru Sirgel crossed the line despite attention from the strong Bulls defence. The Bulls scored 31 points in the second-half that included tries by Arno Botha, Canan Moodie, Bismarck du Plessis and Keagan Johannes.
On the other hand, the Griquas — who also managed a losing bonus point — scored two tries in the closing stages from the efforts of Zander du Plessis and Michael Amiras.