Belligerent Bulls bash Reds

Belligerent Bulls bash Reds

24 Mar 2012

GARETH DUNCAN watched the Bulls score seven tries in the second half for a 61-8 victory over the Reds in Pretoria.

It was a convincing performance from the Bulls as they dominated the defending champions, who would’ve relived memories of their 92-3 drubbing in 2007. While they will lament missed try-scoring opportunities in the opening 40, the hosts went on to convert their 16-3 half-time lead into a 53-point thrashing with a burly attacking showing. Most of the tries came from patient and well-worked build-up play, while they also showed an expansive side to their game when the match loosened up. Morne Steyn played his part with the boot, slotting all of his eight attempts at goal – a much needed confidence booster for the Springbok following a poor kicking display in the 29-23 Blues defeat a fortnight ago.

The Reds were always going to be underdogs as they arrived to Loftus with an injury-ravaged backline. They had to start the match with their fourth-choice flyhalf Dallan Murphy as the likes of Mike Harris and Ben Lucas were sidelined. Powerful winger Digby Ioane was also missing because of his five-week suspension.

They were clearly an unsettled side as the Bulls’ dangerous backs exposed the former’s defensive frailties after some early momentum. However, poor handling and finishing in the visitors’ red zone saw the home side fall short on several occasions. They still scored with their early ascendancy as the Reds’ ill-discipline was punished by Steyn, who converted three penalties. Jono Lance kicked the Reds’ only points of the half when he found the target once from the kicking tee.

The Bulls managed to cross the chalk once before the break when Zane Kirchner powered through from close range.

The Pretoria franchise returned a more clinical team after half-time as they ran rampant. The Reds, who suffered more injuries and looked a fatigued outfit, struggled to restrict the Bulls, who achieved their four-try bonus-point shortly before the final quarter as Wynand Olivier, Flip van der Merwe and Jacques Potgieter dotted down. The Reds claimed a consolation five-pointer via Dom Shipperley, but Jano Vermaak, CJ Stander, JJ Engelbrecht and Bjorn Basson all scored tries to seal the compelling win.

This is a great result for Frans Ludeke’s charges, who face a tough fortnight ahead as they tackle the Stormers in Cape Town and the Crusaders at home. They’ll need to build on to this victory in their following fixtures if they want a good chance of securing a play-off place.


231 Comments

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  • 101.CoachPete: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:03 pm

    Can anyone explain to me why the Bulls staff play music while the game is going on?

  • 102.ufo: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:03 pm

    Dawn is 100% genuine…

    same cant be said polythene pam…

  • 103.Papoose: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:04 pm

    WHAT a pass by Steyn!

  • 104.CoachPete: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:05 pm

    Nice hands nice try could be 4 tries ? and bonus points

  • 105.Kleuter: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:05 pm

    Morne and Wynand communicating well. Good try.

  • 106.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:05 pm

    @Dawn(Dawn)-97:

    Grant has moved on.
    It’s something about Pamela’s mouth that makes her irresistable.
    Score for the the pretty boy
    Fark, i hope the bulls do not get 4 tries :)

  • 107.TMWNN: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:06 pm

    @CoachPete(CoachPete)-101: The Bulls are from Pretoria. They have their own rules up there.

  • 108.TMWNN: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:07 pm

    Its looking to be a long afternoon for the Champions.

  • 109.CoachPete: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:07 pm

    Kirshner playing well too nice kick into crowd preventing the quick throw in

  • 110.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:08 pm

    I know he has moved on but this twat is taking advantage.

  • 111.CoachPete: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:09 pm

    @TMWNN(TMWNN)-107:
    I think there are rules that state you cannot play music during the run of play
    Especially Elvis

  • 112.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:10 pm

    From champs to chumps.

    I can see keohane hauling out his “rubble reds” phrase again.

  • 113.Papoose: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:11 pm

    @CoachPete(CoachPete)-89: dont give him attention, freekin nic stealer

  • 114.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:11 pm

    @CoachPete(CoachPete)-111:

    Specially not “Blue suade shoes” at Loftus.

  • 115.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:12 pm

    It’s those lipstick covered reds shirts

    They been kissed by Pamela

  • 116.grant10: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:13 pm

    i defeated old grant … took his house, his blonde and now his nick

  • 117.CoachPete: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:13 pm

    @Papoose(papaown)-113:
    Ok No problem

  • 118.saru1983: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:14 pm

    chilliboy is a future bok captain and legend best hooker in sa at the moment

  • 119.CoachPete: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:14 pm

    @Dawn(Dawn)-115:
    Just as well the shorts dont have kisses too

  • 120.CoachPete: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:16 pm

    @saru1983(saru1983)-118:
    You ever watch Bismark ?

  • 121.grant10: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:16 pm

    yes saru1983, with your messteek saru rugby i’m not surprised by that comment

  • 122.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:18 pm

    What’s this new “re-load” ref call?

    I like it!

  • 123.CoachPete: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:18 pm

    Nothing in that poor call by touchie

  • 124.IAAS: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:18 pm

    Going for the lineout. They want the bonus point.

  • 125.TMWNN: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:18 pm

    Why would they go for the kick Hugh and Wiese when 20 points ahead? How is going for the lineout an “interesting option”?

  • 126.TMWNN: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:19 pm

    Yes, what does “reload” mean?

  • 127.Kleuter: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:19 pm

    Spies leading by example. Best game in very long time.

  • 128.Papoose: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:20 pm

    what is the Keo group on fantasy rugby? fox’s fantasy rugga

  • 129.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:20 pm

    RE-LOAD!

  • 130.saru1983: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:21 pm

    i wont lose any sleep with either of them in the bok team but chilli is hot u cant deny that

  • 131.Papoose: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:21 pm

    YHO, PURE strength man, what the hell! Bull Power by Van der Merwe!

  • 132.Kleuter: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:22 pm

    And it goes to Flip, son of Flippie. :-)

  • 133.IAAS: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:22 pm

    Raw power by Flip.

  • 134.Papoose: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:22 pm

    @Kleuter(Kleuter)-127: Spies has been playing like this the whole tournament, need to include him next week for fantasy rugby

  • 135.IAAS: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:23 pm

    @Papoose(papaown)-131:

    snap.

  • 136.Kleuter: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:24 pm

    @Papoose(papaown)-134: But today extra good. Captaincy big motivator.

  • 137.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:24 pm

    Red lipstick

  • 138.saru1983: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:25 pm

    @grant10(grant100)-121: i see your hero kick like my granny grant is back u must have a constant woody

  • 139.Kleuter: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:25 pm

    Reds season slipping downhill fast

  • 140.CoachPete: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:25 pm

    Spies is re loading
    Got a gun in his pants

  • 141.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:25 pm

    Do reds have any more players left?

  • 142.saru1983: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:27 pm

    top 3 sa hookers
    chilli/bismark/brits

  • 143.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:27 pm

    Saru, ignore.

  • 144.saru1983: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:28 pm

    mal try potgieter

  • 145.CoachPete: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:29 pm

    MOM right there

  • 146.Kleuter: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:29 pm

    HEEEEEEHAAAAA!

  • 147.Papoose: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:29 pm

    WHAT A TRY by Potgieter, ran 55m there! but Basson created that try.

  • 148.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:29 pm

    S nice being a Bull for the foreseeable future

  • 149.IAAS: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:29 pm

    That was a seriously good try.

  • 150.Papoose: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:29 pm

    he flippin handed off Radike Samo, Lovely!

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