Currie Cup: Gelant and co dazzle as Blue Bulls keep faint hope

The Blue Bulls upheld their end of the playoff bargain with a fine 52-32 Currie Cup win over the Pumas at Loftus on Friday evening.

John Mitchell’s troops played some sparkling attacking rugby once again and temporary move into a semifinal position.

But that position is not in their hands.

Nonetheless, should this be the end of the road for them, they’ll have confidence going into the Super Rugby campaign next year.

The Pumas never gave up but will once again reflect on a campaign of what-ifs.

Who was the star in this match?

Fleet-footed prop Pierre Schoeman enjoyed broken play while Warrick Gelant once again dazzled from fullback for the Bulls but the hard-working Travis Ismaiel deserved the plaudits. Given that he had to move into a starting postion at the 11th hour, the winger rounded off his tries well and always looked for work. Not bad for a guy returning from injury.

Key moments and themes

• The Bulls’ attacking play is rapidly reaching dream-like levels. They clearly relish running into space and try to vary play. Gelant’s cross kick that eventually led to captin Burger Odendaal’s try was a case in point.
• Going hand in hand with the Bulls’ attacking approach is their improved conditioning. While they definitely tailed off in the last 13 minutes by being too overeager, Mitchell’s troops certainly don’t lack intensity in the dying stages of matches. They still possess energy and if they can limit the errors, they can become hard to stop.
• Should the Bulls reach the semifinals, they’ll need to find some balance with their forward play. The line-outs became sloppy once lock Aston Fortuin had to go off with a suspected ankle injury and the scrums were inconsistent. In fact, there were times in the first half where the Pumas gave the Bulls’ front-row a hiding. An attacking game can’t be pulled off if the platform isn’t there.
• For much of the match, the Pumas were worthy opponents. They were organised in the set-pieces and showed some neat touches on attack. But they lost intensity on defence from about minute 25 to 60, which cost them dearly. They’ve punched above their weight in this campaign but they could’ve made the semis if they won “easier” fixtures. Narrow losses to Free State and Griquas meant this game was a bridge too far.

Point scorers

Blue Bulls – Tries: Travis Ismaiel (2), Edgar Marutlulle, Ivan van Zyl, Warrick Gelant, Marco van Staden, Burger Odendaal, JT Jackson. Conversions: Marnitz Boshoff (6).

Pumas – Tries: Jannie Stander, Willie Engelbrecht, Selom Gavor, Frankie Herne. Conversions: Kobus Marais (3). Penalties: Marais (2).