URC

Cornal Hendricks of the Bulls. Photo: Gallo Images

Rampant Bulls stampede into home Currie Cup final

The Bulls ran roughshod over Western Province in their Currie Cup semi-final to book a place in the final which will be held at Loftus next week.

URC

Cornal Hendricks of the Bulls. Photo: Gallo Images

Jake White’s Bulls ran rampant over Western Province in their Currie Cup semi-final to book a place in the final which will be held at Loftus next week.

Bulls 48-31 Western Province

The Bulls started quickly, and Johan Goosen goaled an early penalty to get them in front.

Goosen was involved again as the Bulls scored the first try, with the flyhalf swinging out a sharp flat pass that set Hendricks in at the corner.

The flyhalf then scored himself as the Bulls threatened to run away with the game in a display of champagne rugby.

Western Province found a response through Edwill van der Merwe who theatrically dived in at the corner after a great set move got the visitors going forward.

Arno Botha couldn’t be stopped and the Bulls had their third try and at 24-5 to the good looked to be running away with it.

Although Hachivah Dayimani scored to ignite hopes of a fightback, another Strong Bulls assault saw Lione Mapoe score and Goosen make it 31-12 to the Bulls.

The Bulls would not be denied on the attack though, and skipper Marcell Coetzee powered over for the Bulls fifth try with five minutes to play in the first half.

At the break the Bulls led 38-12 over a Western Province side that had no answer for their physicality.

Western Province started the second half brighter and would cross for the opening score of the second half after a Sergeal Peterson break allowed van Der Merwe to score his second. Swiel’s conversion made it 38-19, but Western Province still had a mountain to climb.

The Bulls appeared happy to manage the clock and accepted a kickable penalty goal, which Goosen converted in the 54th minute to put them out to a more than three-score lead.

Van der Merwe was denied a hat-trick in his last game for Western Province as the TMO ruled he had lost control of the ball before grounding it over the line just before the hour mark.

When Hendricks crossed for his second try the match had long been over as a contest and the Bulls could preserve their energy ahead of next weekend’s final.

Andre-Hugo Venter powered over for a consolation score as the match entered the final ten minutes but it was too little too late.

Van der Merwe would not be denied his hat-trick as he crossed for a late score that allowed him to finish off his WP career in style.

TEAMS

Bulls

15 David Kriel, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Madosh Tambwe, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Zak Burger, 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Arno Botha, 6 Marcell Coetzee (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Janko Swanepoel, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Schalk Erasmus, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.

Substitutes:16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Jacques van Rooyen, 19 Jacques du Plessis, 20 WJ Steenkamp, 21 Keagan Johannes, 22 Chris Smith, 23 Stravino Jacobs, 24 Joe van Zyl, 25 Reinhardt Ludwig, 26 Jaco Labuschagne, 27 Marco Jansen van Vuren, 28 Stedman Gans.

Western Province

15 Sergeal Petersen, 14 Ruhan Nel, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Tim Swiel, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Marcel Theunissen, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Johan du Toit, 4 Ernst van Rhyn (captain), 3 Sazi Sandi, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Leon Lyons.

Replacements (from): 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Justin Basson, 20 Nama Xaba, 21 Godlen Masimla, 22 Rikus Pretorius, 23 Tristan Leyds, 24 Warrick Gelant.

Match information, TV details, kick-off times, live stream

Bulls vs Western Province

Date: Friday, 3 September

Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria

Kick-off: 19h00

Referee: AJ Jacobs

Assistant Referees: Aimee Barrett-Theron, Cwengile Jadezweni

Television Match Official: Quinton Immelman

TVSuperSport

Live stream: DStv Now, Showmax Pro

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