The Blue Bulls were derailed by two moments of magic by Golden Lions eighthman Hacjivah Dayimani as the visitors triumphed 38-35 in their Currie Cup match at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
The Bulls reached the hour mark with a 35-24 lead and had weathered a yellow card to openside flank Ruan Steenkamp. But just when they were looking to close out the game, Dayimani destroyed their hopes with two fine tries.
The 20-year-old first of all used his fast feet to flummox Blue Bulls replacement fullback Duncan Matthews and then sped away from him on the outside, running 35 metres to score a superb try.
That try brought the Lions back to within four points (31-35) and, five minutes later, Dayimani was at it again as he ran a great line and received a deft pass from flyhalf Shaun Reynolds, the perfect timing between the two allowing the eighthman to burst through the gap and cross for another fine try.
Who was the star in this match?
Dayimani, who was also the official man of the match, produced a fine all-round display, also enjoying himself in the loose exchanges, and he won the crucial turnover right at the end of the match, as the Blue Bulls bashed away at the Lions line to try and snatch victory at the death.
Key moments and themes
Point scorers
Blue Bulls: Tries – Andre Warner, Ruan Steenkamp (3), Johnny Kotze. Conversions – Manie Libbok (5).
Golden Lions: Tries – Shaun Reynolds, James Venter, Dillon Smit, Hacjivah Dayimani (2). Conversions – Reynolds (5). Penalty – Reynolds.
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