Publications
Partners
Cape Town - An impressive first half performance from the Bulls ensured that they got home 23-18 against the Cheetahs at Loftus on Saturday night.
The home side scored 20 of their points in the first half as they secured their first home victory of the season.
The Pretoria side move into second position on the Africa One conference table, four points adrift of the leaders, the Stormers.
The visitors dominated both the lineout and the scrum set piece, but it wasn't enough for the stellar first half performance from the 2010 champions. The margin would have been greater had it not been for fly-half Tian Schoeman's inconsistency from the tee.
An early penalty from Niel Marais after the Bulls were penalised for not rolling away allowed the visitors to draw first blood. Tian Schoeman responded five minutes later with a penalty conversion of his own to bring the scores level.
Cheetahs number eight Paul Schoeman received a yellow card for a professional foul, the Bulls utilised the extra man advantage as a beautiful final pass from Rudy Paige saw RG Snyman crash over for the first try of the match. Tian Schoeman missed the conversion attempt, the Bulls however took the lead with the score now on 8-3.
The Bulls continued to apply the pressure, opting rather for a five metre lineout as opposed to taking the three points on offer. This decision paid off as second-rower Jason Jenkins went over for their second try, Schoeman was successful with his attempt. The lead was extended to 15-3.
It wasn't until the 31st minute that the next points were added to the scoreline, Segeal Petersen stretched himself as he evaded Paige to go over in the corner. Referee Craig Joubert had to consult with the TMO Willie Vos to confirm the grounding of the try. Schoeman converted from up against the touchline reducing the Bulls lead to just five points.
The Bulls responded almost immediately with Jamba Ulengo powering over from close range after the 26-year-old speedster outsmarted the defence and advanced upfield. Tian Schoeman however missed the conversion and a ten point lead was established as both sides made their way into the locker rooms with the score on 20-10.
Marais added the first points in the second half after the Bulls were penalised at the scrum time, reducing the Pretoria side's lead and brought the score to 20-13.
It was once a powerful scrum from the Cheetahs saw them being rewarded with yet another penalty after the Bulls front row popped up, Clayton Blommetjies kicked for touch and an overpowering driving maul from the men from Bloemfontein allowed hooker Torsten van Jaarsveld to claim the try. Marais missed from the tee, the score read 20-18.
The Bulls received a penalty after Henco Venter ran an obstructive line, Tian Schoeman made no mistake from the tee and brought the score to 23-18.
Both Tian Schoeman and Marais missed penalty conversions in the 66th and 70th minute respectively.
Replacement fly-half Francois Brummer missed a controversial penalty attempt at the end which would have denied the Cheetahs a losing bonus point, the score remained at 23-18.
Scorers:
Bulls 23 (20)
Tries: RG Snyman, Jason Jenkins, Jamba Ulengo
Conversion: Tiaan Schoeman
Penalties: Schoeman (2)
Cheetahs 18 (10)
Tries: Sergeal Petersen, Torsten van Jaarsveld
Conversion: Niel Marais
Penalties: Marais (2)
Teams:
Bulls
15 Jesse Kriel, 14 Travis Ismaiel, 13 Jan Serfontein, 12 Burger Odendaal, 11 Jamba Ulengo, 10 Tian Schoeman, 9 Rudy Paige, 8 Arno Botha/Nic de Jager, 7 Jannes Kirsten, 6 Roelof Smit, 5 RG Snyman, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Marcel van der Merwe, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Lizo Gqoboka
Substitutes: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Pierre Schoeman, 19 Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg, 20 Lappies Labuschagne, 21 Ivan van Zyl, 22 Francois Brummer, 23 SP Marais
Cheetahs
15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Segeal Petersen, 13 Francois Venter (captain), 12 Nico Lee, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Niel Marais, 9 Shaun Venter, 8 Paul Schoeman, 7 Uzair Cassiem, 6 Boom Prinsloo, 5 Francois Uys, 4 Lood de Jager, 3 Johan Coetzee, Torsten van Jaarsveld, 1 Ox Nche
Substitutes: 16 Jacques du Toit, 17 Charles Marais, 18 Maks van Dyk, 19 Carl Wegner, 20 Hilton Lobberts, 21 Henco Venter, 22 Tian Meyer, 23 Fred Zeilinga
