The Lion’s den was silenced on Saturday as the Bulls managed to beat them in their own backyard in a Vodacom Super Rugby fixture.
Near neighbours Vodacom Bulls has not beaten Emirates Lions since 2015 at Emirates Airlines Park, but on March 2 overturned the deficit by a well-deserved victory of 30-12 over them.
Springbok fly half Handré Pollard was in commanding form on Saturday as he piloted the Vodacom Bulls to an impressive win. He pulled the strings as he delivered a commanding performance in the number 10 jersey, kicking six penalties and a conversion for a personal tally of 20 points. Duane Vermeulen (number eight) and Warrick Gelant (number 15) were the try scorers for the Pretoria outfit.
The visitors led 14-0 at the break thanks to a superior effort from the forwards, which enabled them to starve the home side from any meaningful possession and territory.
Photo by Gordon Arons
Although the Highvelders improved in the second stanza, it was; however, the Vodacom Bulls, Pollard in particular, who kept the scoreboard ticking with some impressive goal-kicking.
Front rankers Carlu Sadie and Dylan Smith (replacement) dotted down for the red and white jerseys, captained for the first time by hooker Malcolm Marx in the injury absence of regular skipper Warren Whiteley.
In next weekend’s action, the Emirates Lions host the Jaguares for their second home match (3.05pm) while the Vodacom Bulls take on the Cell C Sharks at Loftus Versfeld (5.15pm).
Etzebeth, du Toit colossal in tough DHL Stormers away win in Durban
Following a heavy loss to the Vodacom Bulls in the opening round and last week’s last-gasp win over the Emirates Lions in Cape Town, the DHL Stormers played much better on Saturday in Durban to defeat the Cell C Sharks 16-11 in a tightly contested, coastal derby.
The loss was the first of the campaign for the east coast side following a pair of good wins in the opening rounds. Both sides scored a try each, but Robert du Preez’s outfit struggled to contain the visitors’ physical onslaught in the first half. Springboks Eben Etzebeth and Pieter-Steph du Toit were the standout figures in the dominant Cape pack of forwards.
Two yellow cards were also shown to the home side, adding to their struggle to wrestle control of the ball against a Springbok-laden visiting pack.
Young Springbok utility back Damian Willemse scored an intercept try in the first half to help steer the opposing side to a 13-3 half time lead. The hosts made a bright start to the second half when Springbok midfielder Lukhanyo Am dived over soon after the restart.
The rest of the encounter was a typical bruising derby affair and Siya Kolisi’s team did well to fend off a strong surge from the home team towards the end of the game.
Next weekend the DHL Stormers will have a bye and the Cell C Sharks travel to Pretoria for their clash with the Vodacom Bulls in the capital.
Other round three results of the weekend:
March 1
Hurricanes 43, Brumbies 13
Rebels 24, Highlanders 19
March 2
Chiefs 15, Sunwolves 30
Reds 12, Crusaders 22
For free daily local news in the south, visit our sister newspapers Alberton Record, Comaro Chronicle, Southern Courier and Get it Joburg South Magazine.
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