Currie Cup result: Bulls too strong for Lions in Jukskei derby

The Bulls outplayed the Lions in the second half of their Currie Cup clash for a 40-10 bonus-point win in their Jukskei derby at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Wednesday night.

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Although the hosts kept the score to respectable 14-0 in favour of their northern neighbours at the break, the Bulls broke free in the second half to complete a resounding victory.

The men from Pretoria managed to cross the whitewash four times, while they also gained a penalty try in the first half. Experienced former Springbok flyhalf Morne Steyn made an impactful cameo in the second half by scoring a try and landing three successful conversions.

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The Lions were no match for the well-oiled light blue machine and the defeat means they are still winless after six matches. The Bulls netted their fifth win in six games, with their only negative result their loss to unbeaten Cheetahs.

A large part of the first half saw a mighty arm wrestle between the neighbouring sides, with neither team able to gain the upper hand as a result of stout defence.

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The heavy battle took its toll on both sides as they were forced to make early injury replacements. Mark Snyman, the home side’s openside flanker, was replaced by Sasko Ndlovu, while Bulls right wing Sibongile Novuka left the field with a arm injury, with James Verity-Amm sent on as his replacement.

But after the Bulls had weathered the storm, a Verity-Amm converted try, plus a penalty try, handed them a 14-0 advantage at the halfway stage. Furthermore, the home side also did themselves no favours when Lunga Ncube was sent to the sin bin for foul play.

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The first points of match came via a penalty try to the team in light blue jerseys after they had smashed the home scrum into reverse gear.

Over eagerness with ball in hand and some basic errors derailed the home team when they found themselves in good attacking positions. They made several promising forays into the opposing 22, only to return empty handed.

Verity-Amm made the hosts pay for some slack defence when he was on hand to break free of the last tackle to dot down just before the halftime whistle. Pivot Juan Mostert struck the conversion sweet to take the half-time lead to 14-0 in favour of the defending champions.

Steyn scored the Bulls’ second try after a period of sustained pressure. He also lined up the successful conversion kick which stretched the lead to 21-3 as the pressure started to took its toll on the home side.

Bulls finished with three late tries

However, the home team refused to give as evident by replacement scrumhalf Jurich Claasens try under the sticks which reduced the deficit to 21-10 after an earlier penalty goal.

However, Gert Smal’s team hit back with menace to score three more times through No 8 Muller Uys, and reserve front rankers Joe van Zyl and Cebo Dlamini, with the dependable Steyn adding the extras via his kicking boot.

The home team’s problems were further compounded when replacement Ndlovu was also sent to the sin bin for a tip tackle.

Scorers:

Lions Try: Jurich Claasens

Conversion: Claasens

Penalty: James Tedder.

Bulls

Tries: Penalty try, James Verity-Amm, Morne Steyn, Muller Uys, Joe van Zyl, Cebo Dlamini

Conversions: Juan Mostert, Steyn (3)