Kriel bags a brace as Bulls prove too hot for Ospreys

WING David Kriel scored a brace of tries as the Bulls claimed a home win over the Ospreys in the United Rugby Championship.

The Bulls showed their ruthless streak as they ran in seven tries, but the Ospreys managed to claim a bonus point as Rhys Henry went over for their fourth try late in the game.

After a cagey opening, the Bulls took advantage of their first visit into the Ospreys half in just the sixth minute.

They won a line-out just outside the 22 and quick hands gave Kriel space on the right to touch down.

Their dominance was rewarded again six minutes later when flanker Nizaam Carr popped up on the right to beat two would-be tacklers to make it 12-0.

It was a line-out again that proved to be the base for another clinical Bulls move as full-back Wandisile Simelane cut through the Ospreys midfield before the ball found its way to overlapping flanker WJ Steenkamp, who went over in the left corner.

The Ospreys got back into the game with an incisive move down the right wing. Keiran Williams broke through two tackles before moving the ball inside to fly-half Jack Walsh to touch down under the posts for a try he converted.

The Bulls almost hit back immediately as Simelane broke through three tackles but was held up over the line.

However, the hosts were not to be denied claiming the bonus point. Kriel seized on a loose ball from a ruck and passed inside to Lionel Mapoe, who drew in the defence before a sublime offload sent Kriel in for his second try. Chris Smith converted.

The Ospreys were rewarded three minutes before the break after a spell of pressure deep in the Bulls half as Walsh’s chip through was seized on by Tiaan ThomasWheeler to touch down.

Elrigh Louw then burrowed his way over as the Bulls finished the half strongly.

The Ospreys battled in the second half and were rewarded as Williams twisted his way out of a tackle to score. The dominant hosts, though, wrapped it up as a quick break resulted in scrumhalf Zak Burger setting up Ruan Nortje to power over.

The Ospreys did get a bonus point from a fourth try as Henry crossed after a scrum, win the Bulls responded with a late try from Burger.