Springbok stars help Blue Bulls end torrid losing run

Currie Cup round-up

THE Blue Bulls ended a horror run of 10 consecutive defeats with a convincing 40-3 bonus-point victory over Griquas at Loftus.

The Pretoria franchise, who fielded their strongest possible team, scored six tries in a determined performance against an outclassed Griquas outfit.

The home side looked better organised in attack, and the first try came via tighthead Mornay Smith following strong carries by Harold Vorster and Elrigh Louw.

The pressure and penalty count mounted for the visitors, and flanker Stephan Smit was yelup low carded for the team’s repeated infringements on the half-hour mark, which allowed the Bulls even more space to manoeuvre.

They took full advantage, with flanker Cyle Brink forcing his way over after Louw was stopped short from a tap penalty, and then Papier finished off the half in style when the ever-alert Kurt-Lee Arendse picked the ball from a Griquas knock-on inside his 22 and raced downfield before delivering the scoring pass.

Springbok flyer Arendse waved his magic wand once more, and he produced a superb burst of pace to break through a few tackles and offload to left wing David Kriel to dot down.

The Bulls were in full flow at this stage, with Louw unlucky not to score after being held up over the line, but a minute later, loosehead Gerhard Steenekamp showed why he was a No.8 as a junior as he ran a superb line and charged over from 20-odd metres for a memorable five-pointer.

The Natal Sharks saw off the defending Currie Cup champions, the Pumas, with a 19-12 victory at Kings Park courtesy of 14 points from the boot of Fred Zeilinga.

Western Province

compounded misery on bottom side Griffons

with a 47-28 win, with Springbok Juan de Jongh among the try scorers.