As it happened: Highlanders v Bulls

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Commentary by Sport24's Herman Mostert

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12:52 - PICTURE

100-up for Werner Kruger

11:29 - PICTURE

Highlanders centre Malakai Fekitoa on the charge... (Getty Images)

11:22 - KEY STATS

Metres run: Highlanders 347-336 Bulls
Carries: Highlanders 72-123 Bulls
Defenders beaten: Highlanders 19-15 Bulls
Clean breaks: Highlanders 6-5 Bulls
Tackles made: Highlanders 130-63
Tackles missed: Highlanders 15-19 Bulls
Turnovers won: Highlanders 14-4 Bulls
Kicks in play: Highlanders 30-33 Bulls
Lineouts won: Highlanders 8-18 Bulls
Lineouts lost: Highlanders 2-1 Bulls
Scrums won: Highlanders 8-6 Bulls
Scrums lost: Highlanders 5-1 Bulls
Penalties conceded: Highlanders 14-7 Bulls

11:21 - TWEET

Bulls had enough possession to win this one but use if the ball is just so sterile - yet nothing being done about it - Dan Retief

11:20 - Thanks for tuning in. In next weekend's Round 10 action, the Highlanders have a bye, while the Bulls travel to Sydney to face the Waratahs (Saturday, April 19 at 11:40).

11:18 - FULL-TIME: Highlanders 27-20 Bulls

Just too many mistakes from the Bulls costing them dearly! More than a dozen knock-ons in the second half alone paint a bleak picture on the error front.

11:18 - CONVERSION by Potgieter gives the Bulls a losing bonus point.

11:17 - TRY! Replacement Marcel van der Merwe barges over after the hooter had sounded. The Highlanders aren't happy, they think it was a double movement, but the try stands...

Potgieter to kick for a losing bonus point, about 15 metres to the left of the uprights...

11:16 - Another penalty gives the Bulls one last attacking lineout...

11:15 - Inside the final minute now as the Bulls fight for a losing bonus point...

11:14 - The Bulls win their third tighthead in the game - but then AGAIN lose it forward. Unbelievable!

11:13 - With only three minutes left, that was probably the Bulls' last chance...

11:11 - The move ends, with - yes you guessed it - a Bulls knock-on. Flyhalf Potgieter the culprit.

12 knock-ons now in the second half!

11:11 - Bjorn Basson almost in at the corner for the Bulls, but great scramble defence stops him short.

11:09 - They can't score, but get another scrum, only to see the hosts win a turnover...

11:08 - Another scrum penalty, another attacking lineout. Can they hold onto it this time?

11:07 - SECOND HALF HANDLING ERRORS

Highlanders 2
Bulls 11!!!

11:06 - Can you believe it, another knock on!

Bumbling Bulls!

11:05 - The new front row seems to work better as the Bulls win a penalty inside their own half. They set up an attacking lineout close to the tryline...

11:04 - Super Rugby debut for William Small-Smith, who replaces fullback Jurgen Visser.

11:03 - Marcel van der Merwe is now also on at prop for Werner Kruger. Whole new front row for the Bulls now. That early scrum dominance has disappeared...

11:02 - The Bulls are their own worst enemies here. Knock-on after knock-on costing them dearly.

10:58 - Oh, dear nothing working now for Bulls.

This time Hougaard kicks it out on the full. Perhaps the Oscar Zombie-Stopper video is still on his mind...? The Highlanders get a chance to attack...

10:58 - PICTURE

Jurgen Visser under pressure... (Getty Images)

10:57 - Coach Frans Ludeke immediately responds by replacing him with Ulrich Beyers...

10:56 - Better defence on the third attempt forces the Bulls to swing it wide, and then centre Jan Serfontein drops it cold!

10:54 - A cross-kick from Potgieter doesn't work for the Bulls but the referee again goes back for a penalty.

Also an official warning against the Highlanders. They can't transgress at the next lineout maul...

10:53 - But the Bulls try again and come close to scoring with a dominant lineout maul... Just held up, but the hosts are penalised...

10:52 - TWEET

Bulls simply must go shopping for a full-on opensider!! - Rob Houwing

10:51 - Just when the Bulls get some hope they concede a penalty close to the Highlanders line for holding on...

10:50 - TWEET

Might as well get Pollard on and hope for an "Ikey" ... - Front Row Grunt

10:49 - Morné Mellet is now on at prop for Dean Greyling.

10:47 - Potgieter adds to Bulls' misery by kicking the restart directly into touch. Basic error! No excuse for that.

10:47 - CONVERSION by Sopoaga.

Highlanders 27-13 Bulls after 55 minutes.

10:46 - TRY! Centre Malakai Fekitoa scores under the posts after a concerted period of attack, which saw the Bulls slip numerous tackles...

10:45 - The game seems to be opening up now, both teams full of running. This will suit only one side I'm afraid...

10:43 - The full list of South African Super Rugby centurions (players still in action in bold):

 130: Victor Matfield (Cats 8, Bulls 122)

125: AJ Venter (Cats 19, Sharks 96, Stormers 10) and John Smit (Sharks)

123: Morné Steyn (Bulls)

122: Stefan Terblanche (Sharks)

120: Jannie du Plessis (Cheetahs 26, Sharks 92)

118: Bryan Habana (Bulls 61, Stormers 57)

116: Danie Rossouw (Bulls)

114: Jacques Botes (Sharks)

113: Pedrie Wannenburg (Bulls), Adi Jacobs (Bulls 21, Cats 4, Sharks 88)

112: Fourie du Preez (Bulls)

110: Wynand Olivier (Bulls)

109: Odwa Ndungane (Bulls 10, Sharks 99), Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks)

108: Ollie le Roux (Natal 24, Sharks 60, Cats 3, Cheetahs 21), Meyer Bosman (Cheetahs 61, Sharks 47)

104: Andries Bekker (Stormers), Jano Vermaak (Cats 11, Lions 62, Bulls 31)

103: Pierre Spies (Bulls)

102: Albert van den Berg (Cats 7, Sharks 95)

102: Akona Ndungane (Bulls), Jean de Villiers (Stormers)

101: JP Pietersen (Sharks)

100: Bakkies Botha (Bulls)

10:43 - Victor Matfield takes over the captaincy. He is playing his 123rd Super Rugby game for the Bulls - tied with the team's record-holder Morné Steyn.

10:42 - BULLS CAPTAIN OFF!

Bulls skipper Flip van der Merwe limps off, replaced by Paul Willemse.

10:40 - Holes appearing in the Bulls defence now. 12 tackles slipped so far... 

10:39 - BULLS REPLACEMENT

Bongi Mbonambi on at hooker for Callie Visage.

10:37 - After the Bulls bossed the game with some impressive running early on, the Highlanders have responded in fine fashion here... Looking to run the Bulls off their feet.

10:37 - CONVERSION by Sopoaga.

Highlanders 20-13 Bulls after 45 minutes.

10:35 - TRY! No 6 Gareth Evans scores for the hosts after a remarkable outside break from No 13 Malakai Fekito.

The try was set up with the hosts counter-attacking from inside their own half!

10:33 - In a blow for the hosts, experienced lock Brad Thorn limps off. Jarrad Hoeata replaces him.

10:31 - OUCH! Highlanders wing Patrick Osborne makes a massive tackle on Bulls counterpart Bjorn Basson. Luckily Basson gets up...

It looked like a promising Bulls move when Piet van Zyl again broke blindside from a scrum, but Basson was floored in no time before losing the ball...

10:29 - Welcome back for the second half. Potgieter gets play under way...

10:26 - PICTURE

Lima Sopoaga scores for the Highlanders (Getty Images)

10:19 - FIRST HALF STATS

Metres run: Highlanders 166-167 Bulls
Carries: Highlanders 41-55 Bulls
Defenders beaten: Highlanders 8-9 Bulls
Clean breaks: Highlanders 2-4 Bulls
Tackles made: Highlanders 55-40 Bulls
Missed tackles: Highlanders 9-7 Bulls
Turnovers won: Highlanders 4-3 Bulls
Kicks in play: Highlanders 13-16 Bulls
Lineouts won: Highlanders 4-4 Bulls
Lineouts lost: Highlanders 1-1 Bulls
Scrums won: Highlanders 4-3 Bulls
Scrums lost: Highlanders 2-1 Bulls
Penalties conceded: Highlanders 5-6 Bulls

10:17 - HALF-TIME: Highlanders 13-13 Bulls

Great comeback from the hosts in the last 10 minutes here...

10:16 - Oh, dear, the Bulls lose if close to the line and the 'Landers counter. They win a penalty on their own 22m line and Sopoaga brings relief on the stroke of half-time...

10:15 - The Bulls hot on the attack after No 10 Potgieter breaks through in midfield following a scrum...

10:13 - PENALTY by Sopoaga.

Highlanders 13-13 Bulls after 37 minutes.

Just like that, the scores are level!

10:12 - The hosts seem to have a new lease on life. They attack close to the Bulls 22m area and win a penalty when the men from Pretoria go off-side...

Easy three points coming up!

10:10 - Sopoaga CONVERTS from close to the posts.

Highlanders 10-13 Bulls after 33 minutes.

10:09 - TRY AWARDED! The TMO rules that the ball was passed backwards from Treeby before going forward off a Bulls player, with Sopoaga catching it to sprint clear...

Looks like the correct call was made!

10:08 - TRY OR NO TRY?

After a break by centre Shaun Treeby, No 10 Lima Sopoaga dives over but the referee wants to check for a forward pass...

10:06 - The Bulls launch another attack up to the Highlanders 22m area, but are penalised for holding on.

Relief for the hosts, who clearly look flustered by the Bulls onslaught...

10:02 - But they're also playing a great running game! Three line-breaks already and 130 metres run, compared to 90 metres from the home side...

10:00 - Three areas the Bulls are dominating in at present: Scrums, lineouts and the aerial game.

All traditional strong points of their game!

9:59 - TWEET

how is it possible ref and TJs cannot spot #highlanders players continually holding #bulls players off the ball around rucks? #rugby - Craig Ray

9:58 - CONVERSION by Potgieter.

Highlanders 3-13 Bulls after 23 minutes.

9:57 - TRY! Piet van Zyl breaks blind at a scrum, puts a chip kick through which Bjorn Basson catches to run through untouched under the posts!

9:54 - PENALTY converted by Sopoaga.

Highlanders 3-6 Bulls after 20 minutes.

9:53 - The Bulls cynically transgress and this time the hosts opt for the points...

9:51 - Highlanders almost score after running it from inside their own 22! Scintillating running play. They win a penalty five metres out and opt for a lineout...

9:51 - Highlanders off the hook as the Bulls are penalised for going off their feet at a ruck. 

9:49 - Bulls winning the early scrum battle. They win another penalty there on halfway. It sets up an attacking lineout inside Highlanders territory...

9:48 - TWEET

Jan Serfontein accused of having print on his hands, and probably true, but fantastic little break ... 0-3 - Front Row Grunt

9:47 - PENALTY converted by Potgieter.

Highlanders 0-6 Bulls after 12 minutes.

9:46 - A brilliant break in midfield from centre Jan Serfontein sees the Bulls back in the 22m attacking zone. They win a penalty in front after the hosts slow the ball down at a ruck...

9:43 - TIGHTHEAD!

Bulls win a scrum tighthead inside the Highlanders 22 and get a chance to attack...

Great old-school hook from Callie Visagie!

9:42 - Great counter-attack by Francois Hougaard, who is playing on the left wing today. 

9:40 - Highlanders respond by attacking inside the Bulls 22m area... but the move goes awry with a knock-on and the Bulls counter up-field!

9:38 - PENALTY kicked by Jacques-Louis Potgieter.

Highlanders 0-3 Bulls after 3 minutes.

Terrific start by the Bulls!

9:38 - Penalty in front of the posts as he hosts are caught off-side...

9:37 - No surprise as Matfield wins the first lineout as the Bulls attack inside the Highlanders 22...

9:36 - Bulls win an early penalty at scrum time after the home side had knocked on at the kick-off...

The Bulls will look to dominate at set piece today!

9:35 - Highlanders flyhalf Lima Sopoaga starts proceedings...

9:32 - Centurion Kruger leads out the Bulls, who are playing in their camouflage khaki away kit today.

9:26 - The Bulls may have lost a few players, but it means Victor Matfield is back playing this week!

He will prove vital in the lineouts and his experience was dearly missed in the 25-20 loss to the Hurricanes last week.

9:24 - Can the Bulls become the first SA side this year to win in Australasia? Nine losses on the trot for SA sides paint a bleak picture in 2014!

9:22 - WELL DONE!

Bulls prop Werner Kruger is set to become the 26th South African Super Rugby centurion and also the fifth SA front ranker to do this.

09:00 - SPORT24 'EXPERT' PICKS

Sport24's self-proclaimed experts - Editor Garrin Lambley and Chief Writer Rob Houwing - give you their thoughts on today's match.

Click HERE to listen to their thoughts...

15 Ben Smith (captain), 14 Richard Buckman, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Shaun Treeby, 11 Patrick Osborne, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Elliot Dixon, 7 Shane Christie, 6 Gareth Evans, 5 Joe Wheeler, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Chris King, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Kane Hames

Substitutes: 16 Ged Robinson, 17 Craig Millar, 18 Ma'afu Fia, 19 Jarrad Hoeata, 20 John Hardie, 21 Fumiaki Tanaka, 22 Trent Renata, 23 Nasi Manu

15 Jurgen Visser, 14 Bjorn Basson, 13 Johannes Engelbrecht, 12 Jan Serfontein, 11 Francois Hougaard, 10 Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 9 Pieter van Zyl, 8 Grant Hattingh, 7 Jacques du Plessis, 6 Jono Ross, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Flip van der Merwe (captain), 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Callie Visagie, 1 Dean Greyling

Substitutes:16 Mbongeni Mbonambi, 17 Marcel van der Merwe, 18 Paul Willemse, 19 Morné Mellet, 20 Jacques Engelbrecht, 21 Handré Pollard, 22 William Small-Smith, 23 Ulrich Beyers