Springbok No 8 Cameron Hanekom scored two tries as the Bulls hammered the Lions at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
Johan Ackermann’s men crossed the line nine times to triumph 57-15 after leading 31-10 at the break, bouncing back from last week’s defeat to Munster in Limerick. The Lions, meanwhile, suffered their first defeat of the URC campaign after winning their opening two matches at home.
Both teams now turn their attention to the Investec Champions Cup, with the Bulls hosting Stade Français at Loftus Versfeld next Saturday and the Lions travelling to France to face La Rochelle.
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The Bulls opened the scoring in the 10th minute of the Jukskei derby when centre Harold Vorster regathered his chip kick over the last defender, flank JC Pretorius, following an attack down the blindside.
The Lions hit back with a clever lineout move. Having opted to drive from their previous two lineouts, they instead popped the ball down to flank Siba Qoma, who came charging around the front to score. Flyhalf Chris Smith added the extras to put the visitors ahead.
The Bulls had enjoyed limited possession but made the most of it when wing Canan Moodie broke down the right touchline and found scrumhalf Paul de Wet, who was brought down just short of the tryline. Hooker Johan Grobbelaar was on hand to finish off the attack.
In a double blow for the Lions, scrumhalf Morné van den Berg was yellow-carded for a cynical infringement at the breakdown.
Wing Sebastian de Klerk then put Hanekom away for the Bulls’ third try, with flyhalf Curwin Bosch again adding the conversion.
Look at the handling from the Vodacom Bulls 🤌
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Smith clawed three points back for the visitors with a penalty goal before Hanekom handed off Lions wing Richard Kriel to score his second.
“Suka Richard Kriel!”
Cameron Hanekom is all power
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) October 10, 2026
Flank Jeandré Rudolph then went over to give the Bulls a 31-10 lead at the break.
Moodie dotted down early in the second half before the Lions halted the Bulls’ surge through replacement hooker Morné Brandon, who scored from a lineout maul.
With 15 minutes remaining, Bulls replacement wing Cheswill Jooste had a try disallowed for accidental obstruction at a maul, but lock JF van Heerden scored soon afterwards to end any hopes of a Lions comeback.
Jooste would not be denied again, chasing down Vorster’s kick to score the Bulls’ eighth try, and replacement flyhalf Handré Pollard’s conversion brought up the 50.
Wing Sebastian de Klerk then completed the rout with a stoppage-time try.
BULLS – Tries: Harold Vorster, Johan Grobbelaar, Cameron Hanekom (2), Jeandré Rudolph, Canan Moodie, JF van Heerden, Cheswill Jooste, Sebastian de Klerk. Conversions: Curwin Bosch (3), Handré Pollard (4).
LIONS – Tries: Siba Qoma, Morné Brandon. Conversion: Chris Smith. Penalty: Smith.
Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
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Springbok No 8 Cameron Hanekom scored two tries as the Bulls hammered the Lions at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
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