Seldom would you find a coach unhappy about his team’s performance when they’ve scored nine tries, but that may be the case for Blue Bulls mentor Phiwe Nomlomo following a 55-21 Currie Cup victory over the Griffons on Saturday.
The Pretoria outfit cemented their place at the top of the log with 26 points after they maintained their unbeaten record this season by registering their fifth win – to go with a draw – at Loftus Versfeld.
But it could have and should have been so many more points on the night as the Bulls wasted a number of scoring opportunities with a series of knock-ons and breakdown penalties.
Despite those shortcomings, though, a much-changed Bulls side made an impressive start by grabbing their first try in the sixth minute through energetic wing Sibongile Novuka off a smart lineout throw over the top by hooker Juann Else.
Flank Nama Xaba caught the ball at the back, and Novuka rounded off.
But the home side had to wait until the 25th minute for their second touchdown due to their mistakes, even though they dominated physically and in the set-pieces.
The tigerish Griffons defence held up their stronger opponents over the tryline as well, but the ‘Purple People Eaters’ wall was eventually dented via veteran centre and captain Cornal Hendricks.
Novuka’s effort soon afterwards was cancelled out due to a Hendricks forward pass, but in the 30th minute, Springbok star Canan Moodie – who didn’t get many opportunities to attack from fullback – finished off a flowing move after a powerful run by No 8 Mihlali Mosi.
Lock Jannes Kirsten battled to claim the kickoffs, and one of his knock-ons resulted in the Griffons’ first try as captain and centre Keanu Vers danced through from a scrum.
The Bulls pack’s dominance saw them grab a crucial score before halftime as Else was rewarded for a busy display by breaking away from a maul to dot down for the bonus-point try and make it 24-7 at halftime.
The hosts seemed to put more phases together in the second half, and scrumhalf Zak Burger darted over to grab the fifth try in the 51st minute.
The match was ended as a contest on the hour mark as veteran midfielder Lionel Mapoe finished after a number of phases to take the score to 38-7.
The Griffons never gave up the fight, though, and added some respectability to the scoreboard through tries by replacements Cheslin Arendse and Curtly Thomas.
But the Bulls added three further touchdowns through scrumhalf Keagan Johannes – who showcased his immense pace by bursting away from a scrum – while Player of the Match Xaba got a deserved five-pointer after several breakdown steals, and Novuka took them beyond the 50-mark after the hooter.
Points-Scorers
Bulls 55 – Tries: Sibongile Novuka (2), Cornal Hendricks, Canan Moodie, Juann Else, Zak Burger, Lionel Mapoe, Keagan Johannes, Nama Xaba. Conversions: Boeta Chamberlain (3), Jaco van der Walt (2).
Griffons 21 – Tries: Keanu Vers, Cheslin Arendse, Curtly Thomas. Conversions: Qamani Kota (3).
Meanwhile, the Lions beat the Pumas 55-12 at Ellis Park earlier on Saturday, running in eight tries.
Points-Scorers
Lions 55 – Tries: Tapiwa Mafura, Ruan Venter (3), Nico Steyn, Bronson Mills, Jarod Cairns, Siba Qoma. Conversions: Mills (6). Penalty: Mills (1).
Pumas 12 – Tries: Phikolomzi Sobahle, Darren Adonis. Conversion: Clinton Swart (1).