The Bulls got the better of the Stormers in a pre-season north-south derby at Faure Street Stadium in Paarl on Friday afternoon.
Johan Ackermann’s Bulls, who included Springboks Willie le Roux and Nizaam Carr and new recruit Hanro Liebenberg, tested combinations ahead of the new season.
Stormers boss John Dobson blended youth and experience in a match-day 31 that included six URC winners and was captained by Hacjivah Dayimani.
The hosts struck first through fullback Dylan Miller, who cut inside onto Jurie Matthee’s pass, but the flyhalf missed the conversion.
No 8 Jeandré Rudolph replied for the visitors from a driving maul, before speedster Lleyton Davids raced down the right flank for the Stormers’ second try. Matthee converted to restore their lead.
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Liebenberg then powered over from close range, with No 10 Ruben Groenewald converting to level the scores. The Bulls moved ahead when Thaakir Abrahams gathered Le Roux’s chip over the defence to score in the left corner.
Groenewald missed the conversion as the visitors led 17-12 at half-time.
The Stormers regained the lead early in the second half when Miller finished in the left corner, with Jurie Matthee converting.
The Herd responded against the run of play as replacement flyhalf Viaan Mentoor broke away to score and converted his own try.
A penalty try from a powerful Stormers driving maul put Dobson’s men back in front, but the Bulls finished strongly. Loose forward JJ Theron crashed over for their fifth try before Sebastian de Klerk, returning from a long-term injury, crossed for the sixth.
Mentoor converted both as the Bulls secured a 38-26 win.
The Stormers open their URC campaign against Connacht in Galway on Friday, 25 September, while the Bulls begin their campaign away to Italian club Zebre Parma on Saturday, 26 September.
STORMERS – Tries: Dylan Miller (2), Lleyton Davids, penalty try. Conversions: Jurie Matthee (2).
BULLS – Tries: Jeandré Rudolph, Hanro Liebenberg, Thaakir Abrahams, Viaan Mentoor, JJ Theron, Sebastian de Klerk. Conversions: Ruben Groenewald, Mentoor (3).
Photo: Cole Cruickshank/Gallo Images
The post Bulls claim bragging rights in Paarl appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
The Bulls got the better of the Stormers in a pre-season north-south derby at Faure Street Stadium in Paarl on Friday afternoon.
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