Share

Jantjies stars in Bulls victory

Johannesburg - Tony Jantjies scored 29 points as the Blue Bulls demolished the Golden Lions with a 54-26 victory in their Vodacom Cup match at Ellis Park on Saturday.

The Blue Bulls flyhalf scored a try, kicked four penalties and six conversions. It was a fantastic display by the pivot, who took the game by the scruff of the neck and marshalled his backline to perfection.

Jantjies, brother of Springbok Elton, knocked over three penalties inside seven minutes as the visitors dominated the opening exchanges.

Flanker Wiaan Liebenberg went over for the first of his two tries in the ninth minute, which was converted by Jantjies, as the Bulls moved the ball around the field with some flowing moves.

The Lions hit back with their first try through fullback Ruhan Nel as the Bulls missed some timely tackles. Ashlon Davids, who contributed 16 points, converted the try to narrow the gap.

But the Bulls changed gears, and the hosts had no answer to the sweeping open play of the visitors. The Pretoria side played some magnificent running rugby which resulted in Rohan Janse van Rensberg finishing off a lovely move, to restore their 16-point lead.

Liebenberg scored his second try shortly after the half-hour mark, converted by Jantjies, as the Bulls drew clear.

Two quick tries by Lions flyhalf Davids and centre Harold Vorster just before half-time meant that the home side trailed by only 11 points, but it was all the Bulls in the second half.

Left wing Heinrich Steyl scored a try in the 58th minute, shortly after Jantjies had knocked over his fourth penalty of the match, to extend the lead to 21 points.

The Lions must have thought that they had been given some reprieve when Janse van Rensberg received a yellow card for tackling in the air, but the Bulls showed patience and maturity to score a try through Jantjies in the 67th minute.

At 47-19, the Bulls were over the horizon and cantering away, but Davids went over for his second try of the afternoon, and converted it, again reducing the deficit to 21 points.

Rubbing salt in the wounds of the hosts, the Bulls were awarded a penalty try for consistent collapsing of the scrum in the 80th minute.

Scorers:

Golden Lions:

Tries: Ruhan Nel, Ashlon Davids (2), Harold Vorster.

Coversions: Davids (3)

Blue Bulls:

Tries: Wiaan Liebenberg (2), Rohan Janse van Rensberg, Tony Jantjies, Heinrich Steyl, Penalty Try.

Coversions: Jantjies (6).

Penalties: Jantjies (4)

Vodacom Cup results this weekend:

Saturday:

Pampas  45-26  Border Bulldogs
Boland Cavaliers 12-44 South Western Districts
Sharks XV 34-33 Free State XV
Limpopo 5-124 Griquas
Pumas 64-7 Griffons
Golden Lions 26-54 Blue Bulls

Friday:

Eastern Province Kings 18-43 Western Province
Leopards XV 47-16 Falcons
We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1471 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2249 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE