The Blue Bulls overcame a spirited Griquas side to claim a 45-40 bonus-point win in Kimberley on Saturday. JON CARDINELLI reports.
The Bulls continue to impress on attack and disappoint on defence. While they managed to score seven tries against Griquas on Saturday, they leaked six at the other end and were made to fight for the result.
The win appeared to be in the bag when the Bulls scored their fourth try – through JT Jackson – in the 26th minute. They allowed Griquas back into the contest, though, and took a relatively slim 28-21 lead into the sheds.
The first stanza ended with Bulls winger Duncan Matthews receiving a yellow card for cynical play. Griquas capitalised on their numerical advantage and scored two tries in the period after half-time.
The hosts paid for a piece of cynical play in the 55th minute, though. Pieter Jansen van Vuren was shown a yellow card for an offence right on his own tryline. The Bulls set the rolling maul thereafter, and Edgar Marutlulle got the touchdown.
Jano Venter and Ivan van Zyl also crossed the line while Jansen van Vuren was in the sin bin. The Bulls moved into a 10-point lead with 14 minutes left in the game.
AJ Coertzen scored in the 75th minute to give the hosts some hope of an upset. The Bulls hung on to secure the win, though, and Griquas had to be content with a couple of bonus points.
Griquas – Tries: Nicolaas Oosthuizen, André Swarts (2), penalty try, Eital Bredenkamp, AJ Coertzen. Conversions: George Whitehead (4).
Blue Bulls – Tries: André Warner, Franco Naude, Jaco Visagie, JT Jackson, Edgar Marutlulle, Jano Venter, Ivan van Zyl. Conversions: Manie Libbok (5).
Griquas – 15 AJ Coertzen, 14 Ederies Arendse, 13 Kyle Steyn (c), 12 André Swarts, 11 Enver Brandt, 10 George Whitehead, 9 Christiaan Meyer, 8 Conway Pretorius, 7 Sias Koen, 6 Eital Bredenkamp, 5 Pieter Jansen van Vuren, 4 Sintu Manjezi, 3 Nicolaas Oosthuizen, 2 Khwezi Mkhafu, 1 Devon Martinus
Subs: 16 Wilmar Arnoldi, 17 Ruan Kamer, 18 Wandile Putuma, 19 Jonathan Janse van Rensburg, 20 Zak Burger, 21 Christopher Bosch, 22 Tythan Adams
Blue Bulls – 15 Divan Rossouw, 14 Jade Stighling, 13 Franco Naude, 12 JT Jackson, 11 Duncan Matthews, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 André Warner, 8 Hanro Liebenberg (c), 7 Jano Venter, 6 Ruan Steenkamp, 5 Eli Snyman, 4 Hendré Stassen, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Matthys Basson.
Subs: 16 Edgar Marutlulle, 17 Conrad van Vuuren, 18 Ruan Nortje, 19 Thembelani Bholi, 20 Ivan van Zyl, 21 Tinus de Beer, 22 Dylan Sage.
Photo: Gerhard Duraan/BackpagePix
