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The Bulls scored six tries, and were marginally better than the bottom-of-the-log side who would have gained a lot of confidence from running the champions so close at Loftus. In fact, if it hadn’t been for three missed penalties in the first half, the Leopards could have arguably won the match.
A bonus point try by Derick Hougaard, just two minutes after halftime, is what the Bulls played for, but they also needed the win which was nearly denied.
The try took the score to 33-10 against a side that played positively with ball in hand but got away with murder in the rucks, with forwards and backs being off-sides at breakdowns.
It broke the Bulls fluency, but they still put together a few good combination runs – and the best of all was the backline move that saw Gerhard van den Heever, who was again very good in general play, work hard for an excellent try.
The Leopards were not easy meat. They played with pride, and here and there with some authority. They controlled the first quarter and were deservedly up 10-0 after 16 minutes after winning more than their share of the possession and denying the Bulls good possession through their transgressions, but were generally not in the class of the defending champions despite some good phases of play.
With the score mounting to 33-10 the Bulls seemed home and dry, but the champions at times allowed looseness to creep into their play - and the Leopards were good enough to exploit their errors and score two further tries in the third quarter.
Both came through scrumhalf Michael Bondesio following a ruck and then a good dummy from him, and a kick-through and chase from near the halfway line to make it a more palatable 40-24 after 16 minutes of the second half.
A missed handling error by referee Stuart Berry helped the Leopards to their bonus-point try after 25 minutes of the second half, with good phase ball eventually leading to Walter Venter’s converted try. At 40-31 the game was all but over.
It forced the Bulls to aim a penalty at the posts and take the score to 43-31 before the leopards bounced back with another converted try, this time by Dumisani Matyeshana. And at 43-38 the Leopards had doubled their bonus points for the season to four.
With two minutes remaining they mauled over from a penalty lineout but were penalised and it was a relieved Bulls side that trooped off to ponder their near-escape.
Scorers: Bulls: Tries: Gerhard van den Heever, Dewald Potgieter, Derick Kun , Derick Hougaard, Stefan Watermeyer. Conversions: Jacques-Louis Potgieter (5). Penalty: Potgieter.
Leopards: Tries: Ligtoring Landman, Michael Bondesio (2), Walter Venter, Dumisani Matyeshana. Conversions: Neill Jacobs (4), Clayton Durand.
Teams:
Bulls: 15 Jaco van der Westhuyzen, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Jaco Pretorius, 12 Stefan Watermeyer, 11 Hayden Groepes, 10 Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Gerrit-Jan van Velze, 7 Dewald Potgieter, 6 Derick Kuün (captain), 5 Juandre Kruger, 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Bees Roux, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Jaco Engels.
Replacements: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Frik Kirsten, 18 Fudge Mabeta, 19 CJ Stander, 20 Dustin Jinka, 21 Francois Brummer, 22 Stephan Dippenaar.
Leopards: 15 Danie Dames, 14 Deon Scholtz, 13 Jovan Bowles, 12 Walter Venter, 11 Dumisane Matyeshana, 10 Niell Jacobs, 9 Michael Bondesio, 8 Riaan Swanepoel, 7 Palm Koch (captain), 6 Danie Crous, 5 Draad Linde, 4 Anthonie Gronum, 3 Os van der Walt, 2 Pellow van der Westhuizen, 1 Divan Kotze.
Replacements: 16 Gavin Williamson, 17 Aranos Coetzee, 18 Brad Mockford, 19 RW Kember, 20 Jean Tiedt, 21 Clayton Durand, 22 Jan van Zyl.
Referee: Stuart Berry
Assistant referees: Matt Kemp, Johan Greeff
TMO: Johann Meuwesen
