2 October 2011
Report by David van der Merwe
The Blue Bulls hosted the Pumas at Loftus Versfeld on Friday night for an all important clash for both sides. The Bulls needing bonus points wins in their last three matches if they wanted to stand a chance to play in the semi's. The Pumas needing bonus point wins if they wanted a chance to play in next year's Currie Cup. This plus results from other games needed to go their way.On a blustery, cold and wet evening in Pretoria few supporters came out to support their teams. But the few that did were treated to an excellent display of rugby by the Bulls. The Pumas started the match in their pink jerseys, this did mean that they would be a push over.
The Bulls scored first through a Flip van der Merwe try. it was a well worked try with Russouw de Klerk putting Van der Merwe away. Louis Fouche converted the try. He added two penalties to make it 13-0 after 18 minutes. The Pumas hit back when they got inside the Bulls' 22. Doppies le Roux took a quick tap after a scrum free kick. He passed to flank Jaco Bouwer who broke the defence to score under the sticks. Coenie van Wyk converted. Fouche hit back immediately through a brilliant individual try of his own and he converted it. CJ Stander followed to score in the corner for the Bulls. Fouche missed the conversion, but slotted a penalty to make it 28-7 at halftime.
The Pumas came out in the second half in their changed strip and gave the Bulls a hard time. The Bulls could only score one try in the first twenty minutes. Francois Venter went over and Fouche converted. The Pumas discipline cost them as they saw first, prop Ashley Buys yellow carded for killing the ball and then Boela Serfontein joined him in the bin. Serfontein decided he wanted to try a WWE clothes-line tackle. And this after they warn you not to try it at home.
The Bulls capitalised on the 2 man advantage by scoring a try from the maul. Fouche however failed to convert the Arno Botha try. The Pumas tried everything and anything to close the 40-7 gap. This however resulted in Bjorn Basson intercepting a pass and scoring for the Bulls. Fouche this time made no mistake in converting the try. With 15 minutes still left it look like the Bulls would really open it up, but the Pumas showed grit and a lot of heart defending like crazy. The Pumas scored a consolation try through Marius Coetzer to make the final score 47-12.
The Bulls still have a chance of reaching the semi's if WP should slip up against the Lions next week. They will however have their own work cut out for them as they have to travel to Kimberley to face the Griquas. Never an easy game even more so now that the Griquas can still finish 5th if they win.
The Pumas have to be happy with playing 1st division rugby next season. Something interesting about them and the changing of their strip at halftime. Coach Jimmy Stonehouse explained: "We see each half as a new game. There for we change our kit after every 40 minutes." If you have seen them play this season, you will know that it has worked for them on many occasions.
The Pumas came out in the second half in their changed strip and gave the Bulls a hard time. The Bulls could only score one try in the first twenty minutes. Francois Venter went over and Fouche converted. The Pumas discipline cost them as they saw first, prop Ashley Buys yellow carded for killing the ball and then Boela Serfontein joined him in the bin. Serfontein decided he wanted to try a WWE clothes-line tackle. And this after they warn you not to try it at home.
The Bulls capitalised on the 2 man advantage by scoring a try from the maul. Fouche however failed to convert the Arno Botha try. The Pumas tried everything and anything to close the 40-7 gap. This however resulted in Bjorn Basson intercepting a pass and scoring for the Bulls. Fouche this time made no mistake in converting the try. With 15 minutes still left it look like the Bulls would really open it up, but the Pumas showed grit and a lot of heart defending like crazy. The Pumas scored a consolation try through Marius Coetzer to make the final score 47-12.
The Bulls still have a chance of reaching the semi's if WP should slip up against the Lions next week. They will however have their own work cut out for them as they have to travel to Kimberley to face the Griquas. Never an easy game even more so now that the Griquas can still finish 5th if they win.
The Pumas have to be happy with playing 1st division rugby next season. Something interesting about them and the changing of their strip at halftime. Coach Jimmy Stonehouse explained: "We see each half as a new game. There for we change our kit after every 40 minutes." If you have seen them play this season, you will know that it has worked for them on many occasions.
