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As it happened: Lions v Bulls

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Commentary by Sport24's Herman Mostert

Follow on @herman_mostert or send suggestions to: herman.mostert@sa.24.com


KEY STATS

Metres run: Lions 546-482 Bulls
Carries: Lions 91-93 Bulls
Defenders beaten: Lions 24-13 Bulls
Clean breaks: Lions 10-8 Bulls
Tackles made: Lions 105-88 Bulls
Tackles missed: Lions 13-24 Bulls
Turnovers won: Lions 7-2 Bulls
Kicks in play: Lions 29-27 Bulls
Rucks won: Lions 72-61 Bulls
Rucks lost: Lions 0-2 Bulls
Mauls won: Lions 4-4 Bulls
Lineouts won: Lions 11-9 Bulls
Lineouts lost: Lions 7-2 Bulls
Scrums won: Lions 3-5 Bulls
Scrums lost: Lions 1-2 Bulls
Penalties conceded: Lions 7-12 Bulls


PICTURE

Bulls prop Marcel van der Merwe on the rampage... (Gallo Images)



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TWEET

Coming close but not winning one game abroad came back to bite Bulls. Left no room for error back in SA ... - Rob Houwing


PICTURE

Lions flyhalf Marnitz Boshoff slotted two drop goals to help sink the Bulls... (Gallo Images)


FULL-TIME: Lions 32-21 Bulls

This puts paid to any playoff hopes the Bulls may have harboured... They were simply too error-prone tonight.

The Bulls also have to learn to play away from fortress Loftus...


79'- Has Boshoff played himself into the Springbok team?


79'- PENALTY converted by Boshoff.

Lions 32-21 Bulls.


78'- The Lions win a scrum penalty right in the middle of the park, just outside Bulls 22m area.

Boshoff will line up...


76'- The Lions steal a Bulls lineout and then win a penalty at the ensuing ruck. It's about 60m out, so they opt for a lineout. But that should be the ball game...


75'- Is a remarkable Bulls fightback on the cards?


74'- CONVERSION by Potgieter.

Lions 29-21 Bulls


74' - TRY AWARDED. No obstruction.


73'- Bulls flank Jacques du Plessis barges through the Lions defence to run 30m and score. However, the TMO is called into action for potential obstruction.


72'- A long-range drop attempt from Boshoff is way short...


71'- The conversion attempt is missed by Potgieter.

Lions 29-14 Bulls


70'- TRY! The Bulls hit right back from the ensuing kick-off. William Small-Smith the man to round off. 


69'- CONVERSION by Boshoff.

Lions 29-9 Bulls


68' - TRY! Lions flank Warwick Tecklenburg rounds off a sublime move.

It was set up by a brilliant break from Jantjies on halfway before throwing a back-pass to Stokkies Hanekom who ran spectacularly before being tackled just short. He then off-loaded before Tecklenburg rounded off...


67'- Jantjies is now on for the Lions, Boshoff to fullback and Coenie van Wyk off.


66'- ENGLISH PREMIERSHIP FINAL RESULT

Northampton Saints have beaten Saracens 24-20 in the Aviva Premiership final after extra-time.

 64'- Piet van Zyl and Bongi Mbonambi on for the Bulls. Ndungane and Visagie off.

Van Zyl is at scrumhalf, with Hougaard on the wing.


63'- Bulls heads are slumping. They look a beaten side, and quite frankly, look lost without Matfield...


62'- Super Rugby debut for Lions prop Charles Marais, on for Ruan Dreyer. Derick Minnie also now on for the hosts.


TWEET

Here's a little thought... could Marnitz Boshoff be playing his way into Saturday's test side? Heyneke has admitted he needs a flyhalf - Dan Retief


PICTURE

JJ Engelbrecht smothered by Stokkies Hanekom (No 13) and Alwyn Hollenbach... (Gallo Images)


58'- PENALTY slotted by Boshoff from 50m out.

Lions 22-9 Bulls


57'- Flip is lucky, he only concedes a penalty after clearly slapping the ball out of Lions scrumhalf De Klerk's hands. He could easily have seen yellow there...


57'- TMO CALL

The TMO is called into action for potential cynical play from Bulls skipper Flip van der Merwe.


55'- DROP GOAL!

Just as I criticise Boshoff, he responds a minute later by kicking his second drop of the match!

Lions 19-9 Bulls


54'- Dumb play from the Lions. They win a very kickable penalty but fullback Coenie van Wyk takes a quick tap, before Boshoff chips over the defence but it goes dead...


53'- Faf de Klerk is on at scrumhalf for the Lions, with Ross Cronje off.


52'- William Small-Smith has replaced JJ Engelbrecht at centre for the Bulls. About time!


50'- TWEET

JJ Engelbrecht is having a shocker - Simon Borchardt


49'- Deon van Rensburg has replaced Chrysander Botha at left wing for the Lions.


48'- The Lions have their tails up now. Thanks to Hattingh dropping the kick-off cold. There should be no excuse for that. He was under no pressure. The Bulls will rue not including Victor Matfield for tonight's game.


47'- CONVERSION by Boshoff.

Lions 16-9 Bulls


45'- TRY!

Lions centre Alwyn Hollenbach darts through the Bulls defenders after pouncing on a dropped ball.

Grant Hattingh shockingly dropped the kick-off there...


45'- PENALTY slotted by Potgieter.

Lions 9-9 Bulls


43'- A massive Bulls scrum just outside the Lions 22 sees the visitors win a penalty. Potgieter will line up to try and level matters...


42'- Bulls back on the attack close to the Lions 22 but a poor pass scuppers another chance. Some weak skills on display by the Bulls backs tonight.


41'- News coming in is that Lions lock Rudi Mathee has broken his arm. That's why he was replaced, not because the Lions were struggling in the lineouts...


40' - Welcome back for the second half. Potgieter gets play started.

Referee Craig Joubert is still there as well. Guess the physio did some good work at half-time...


TWEET

The Bulls would have scored three tries in that first half with better finishing. Can't see Lions defence keeping them out for much longer - Simon Borchardt


FIRST HALF STATS

Metres run: Lions 240-292 Bulls
Carries: Lions 41-65 Bulls
Defenders beaten: Lions 10-9 Bulls
Clean breaks: Lions 4-5 Bulls
Tackles made: Lions 72-43 Bulls
Tackles missed: Lions 9-10 Bulls
Turnovers won: Lions 5-1 Bulls
Kicks in play: Lions 17-16 Bulls
Rucks won: Lions 37-42 Bulls
Rucks lost: Lions 0-1 Bulls
Mauls won: Lions 4-2 Bulls
Lineouts won: Lions 9-4 Bulls
Lineouts lost: Lions 5-0 Bulls
Scrums won: Lions 2-1 Bulls
Scrums lost: Lions 0-0 Bulls
Penalties conceded: Lions 3-5 Bulls


HALF-TIME: Lions 9-6 Bulls


38'- Referee Craig Joubert just asked for a physio to be ready at half-time for him. He is struggling with a hamstring...


37'- Willie Britz is also on at lock for the Lions, with Rudi Mathee off injured.


37'- The Lions lose their FIFTH lineout...


36'- PENALTY converted by Potgieter.

Lions 9-6 Bulls


35'- However, referee Joubert goes back for a penalty advantage he was playing...


35'- Bulls back in the red zone but a shocking pass from Engelbrecht to Basson scuppers a scoring chance. How poor has Engelbrecht been tonight?


33'- A Boshoff up-and-under goes way too far and is easily covered by Ndungane. Boshoff kicks away precious possession too readily...


31'- It was the right call by the Bulls to opt for posts there. They have butchered too many scoring chances so far... 


30'- PENALTY slotted by Potgieter.

Lions 9-3 Bulls


29'- The Bulls win a penalty five metres out after Franco Mostert is pinged for hands in the ruck...

Potgieter will line up just to the right of the posts...


28'- A FOURTH Lions lineout gone begging! It allows the Bulls back into Lions territory...


TWEET

Lions forwards pods running it wide and at pace and getting over the advantage line every time - Lions Rugby


26'- That drop attempt will be a warning to the Bulls not to give the Lions pivot space in most parts of the field...


25'- Wow, Boshoff attempts a drop goal from 55m out. It was a great strike, but just missed to the right.


22'- NO TRY!

Replays show Basson's feet were in touch just before he dotted down. The TMO agrees with me.


22'- TRY OR NO TRY?

Bulls wing Bjorn Basson goes over in the corner, but the TMO must check if he got it down in time.

Great try saving tackle from Boshoff.


20'- A THIRD lost Lions lineout gives the Bulls another attacking chance inside the Lions 22...


19'- A THIRD handling error from JJ Engelbrecht. He made a solid run in midfield but then lost it in the tackle just short of halfway...


17'- A Lions penalty at the ensuing scrum brings relief for the hosts. Nothing going right for the Bulls at present.


17' - Oh dear, Bulls fullback Jurgen Visser knocks the ball on with the goal-line right in front of him. It was a solid passage of play by the Bulls, and some great strength shown by Ndungane who shoved off a few defenders. He threw a bullet pass to Visser, who couldn't hold on. If he did, he would have fallen over for a try... 


15'- The only positive for the Bulls in the first 15 minutes is that they've stolen two Lions lineouts...


14'- A second dropped ball in midfield by the Bulls' JJ Engelbrecht. Has he played like a Springbok this season? Not quite in my book...


12'- A first attacking Bulls lineout close to the Lions line is well defended by the home side. They easily stop the maul and then win a penalty on the ground.


TWEET

1st 10 mins belong to Lions - drop & 2 penalties by Boshoff. But 1st drop goal had ring of impatience & lack of ambition about it, on 22 - Ken Borland


9'- PENALTY slotted by Boshoff from about 35m out.

Lions 9-0 Bulls


9'- Another penalty to the Lions within striking range as the Bulls are caught off-side...


7'- Seven minutes into the game and the Bulls have already missed 7 tackles! 


6'- Potgieter misses his attempt to the left and the Bulls remain scoreless...


5'- The Bulls get a chance to hit back when the Lions are pinged for a lineout interference...

Potgieter to line up, about 40m out...


4'- Long-distance PENALTY slotted by Boshoff.

Lions 6-0 Bulls


3'- Scrum penalty to the Lions. It's just inside Bulls territory and Boshoff will line up...

The Lions got back into striking range via a strong run from fullback Coenie van Wyk, who beat about five defenders...


1'- DROP GOAL!

Boshoff lands a left-footed drop goal to put the Lions in front. It was an ugly strike, but nevertheless over.

Lions 3-0 Bulls


1 - The Lions lose their first lineout on the 22m line, but then regain possession to launch an early attack...


17:06 - Lions flyhalf Marnitz Boshoff gets the game underway...


17:05 - Craig Joubert is today's referee. Good news for the Bulls...


17:05 - It's perfect conditions for rugby. Little wind and no rain in sight.


17:04 - Big cheer for the Bulls as they appear. Clearly a lot of Bulls fans have crossed the Jukskei river with their team for this game...


16:56 - The warm-ups have been wrapped up as the teams head back into their change-rooms...


DID YOU KNOW?

The average score in Super Rugby with Lions and Bulls is 32-16 in favour of the Bulls.


16:39 - LATE CHANGE TO LIONS TEAM

Prop Julian Redelinghuys has pulled out with an injury. Ruan Dreyer has taken his place in the starting team, with Charles Marais coming on to the bench.


TWEET

Judging by the massive line of cars coming into the stadium, I'm expecting a pretty big crowd for this afternoon's match - Marc Lewis


WHAT THE LOGS SAY...

Certainly better news if you're a Bulls fan!

Thanks to some "favours" in early Super Rugby matches this weekend, the Bulls can move as high as FIFTH in the Super Rugby Overall standings with a bonus point victory over the Lions.

The Lions, after a fast start to their campaign, also have plenty to play for. They are currently bottom of the SA Conference and the Overall log, but a bonus point win for them will see them jump to 12th overall.


LISTEN TO THE EXPERTS!

Sport24 Editor Garrin Lambley makes his prediction for today's Super Rugby clash at Ellis Park.

Click HERE to watch...


OFFICIALS

Referee:
Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Assistant referees:
Lourens van der Merwe (South Africa), Sieg van Staden (South Africa)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)


RECENT RESULTS

2014: Bulls won 25-17, Pretoria
2012: Bulls won 37-20, Pretoria
2012: Bulls won 32-18, Johannesburg
2011: Bulls won 30-23, Pretoria
2011: Bulls won 24-20, Johannesburg
2010: Bulls won 51-11, Pretoria


TEAMS:

Lions

15 Coenie van Wyk, 14 Courtnall Skosan, 13 Nicolaas Hanekom, 12 Alwyn Hollenbach, 11 Chrysander Botha, 10 Marnitz Boshoff, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Warren Whiteley (captain), 7 Warwick Tecklenburg, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Rudi Mathee, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Robbie Coetzee, 1 Schalk van der Merwe

Substitutes: 16 Armand van der Merwe, 17 Corne Fourie, 18 Charles Marais, 19 Willie Britz , 20 Derick Minnie, 21 Francois de Klerk, 22 Elton Jantjies, 23 Deon van Rensburg

Bulls

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

Substitutes:16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Werner Kruger, 18 Morné Mellett, 19 Paul Willemse, 20 Wimpie van der Walt), 21 Piet van Zyl, 22 Louis Fouché, 23 William-Small Smith


Welcome to Sport24's LIVE scoring and interactive commentary on today's Super Rugby match between the Lions and Bulls in Johannesburg!



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