Bulls URC campaign off to a flyer
The Bulls got their United Rugby Championship campaign off to a flying start with a victory over the Lions in Johannesburg.
The men from Pretoria were too good for their neighbours to the south, and won the Gauteng Derby by 31-15.
Flyhalf Chris Smith contributed 14 points.
The Bulls scored early, through their hard-working captain Marcell Coetzee – who was also named Man of the Match – and when Cornal Hendricks went over following a superb attack that was started by their new recruit Wandisile Simelane, playing against his former team, the visitors looked to be in control at 15-3.
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The hosts never gave up though and drew level shortly after the break courtesy of tries by Francke Horn and Marius Louw, who had joined them from the Sharks during the off-season. At 15-15 with 35 minutes to go, the result was anyone’s for the taking.
The Bulls then took control of the encounter through three Smith penalty goals and put the result beyond any doubt when Jan-Hendrik Wessels went over in the 72nd minute for their third try.
Scorers:
Emirates Lions 15 (8) – Tries: Francke Horn, Marius Louw. Conversion: Jordan Hendrikse. Penalty goal: Hendrikse.
Vodacom Bulls 31 (15) – Tries: Marcell Coetzee, Cornal Hendricks, Jan-Hendrik Wessels. Conversions: Chris Smith, Morne Steyn. Penalty goals: Smith (4).
