Bulls and Stormers flex in South African URC derbies

The Bulls and the Stormers flexed their URC muscle with a pair of dominant wins over South African URC rivals, the Lions and Sharks, respectively.

At Loftus Versfeld, the Bulls overwhelmed the Lions 57-15 in a one-sided Gauteng clash that eventually turned into something of a showcase for Johan Ackermann’s Pretorian outfit.

The hosts struck first through Harold Vorster after sustained pressure, but the Lions hit back when Siba Qoma finished in the corner following a series of attacks close to the line.

Indeed, for much of the opening half-hour the visitors remained in touch, but the contest swung dramatically after scrum-half Morne van den Berg was shown yellow for a deliberate knock-on.

The Bulls ruthlessly capitalised on the extra man. Johan Grobbelaar crossed before Cameron Hanekom grabbed a quickfire brace, the No.8 powering through contact for his second after running a superb support line.

Leading 24-10, the Bulls never looked back. A further score before the break from Jeandre Rudolph gave them a commanding advantage and they carried that momentum into the second half, with Canan Moodie finishing out wide after another slick attacking move on 43 minutes.

The Lions briefly threatened through Morne Brandon’s try, but it only delayed the inevitable. The Bulls’ superior power and handling repeatedly opened gaps as they dominated collisions and stretched the visitors across the field.

A Cheswill Jooste effort was ruled out by the TMO for obstruction, but it mattered little. JF van Heerden added another before the home side finished with a flourish, running in further scores to bring up a half-century.

Sebastian de Klerk had the final say, crossing after the siren as the Bulls completed an eight-try rout.

In Cape Town, the Stormers got the better of the Sharks 39-22 in a lively coastal derby at DHL Stadium.

The hosts made a flying start when Seabelo Senatla finished a flowing move created by Damian Willemse, but the Sharks stayed in touch through a Manu Tshituka try and Gianni Lombard’s boot.

The turning point came either side of half-time. With the Sharks reduced to 13 men following yellow cards for Matt Romao and Tshituka, the Stormers took control through a dominant maul and clinical close-range finishing.

Hacjivah Dayimani scored twice, Andre-Hugo Venter crossed from a driving maul and Leolin Zas struck shortly after the restart.

Dayimani added another before the Sharks replied through a maul try care of Matt Romao and a Phepsi Buthelezi score just six minutes later, but the damage had already been done. Stormers replacement hooker JJ Kotze then put the contest more or less to bed, powering over on 62 minutes, in what proved to be the final score of the match.