The Vodacom Bulls suffered an embarrassing defeat against a rampant Northampton Saints in Sunday’s Investec Champions Cup clash at Franklin’s Gardens.
Johan Ackermann’s side – missing several rested Springboks – were second best from start to finish, struggling to contain the pace and precision of the hosts and conceding eight tries in a 50-5 hammering that will raise serious concerns back in Pretoria.
It marks a second straight defeat in the competition for the Bulls, following their opening-round loss to Bordeaux Bègles, and leaves them with little margin for error when the tournament resumes in January, when the Bristol Bears visit Loftus Versfeld.
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The Bulls had an early opportunity to settle nerves when flyhalf Kade Wolhuter – on loan from the Lions – lined up a long-range penalty in the fourth minute, but the effort drifted wide. That miss proved costly.
Northampton struck first soon after, moving the ball swiftly to the edge where winger Ollie Sleightholme found space to score after some slick handling.
The Saints continued to dominate possession and territory, but the Bulls briefly clawed their way back into the contest when winger Stravino Jacobs capitalised on a loose moment, collecting a kick and sprinting clear to score in the 23rd minute.
Any momentum was short-lived. Sustained pressure from the hosts paid off when the ball was worked down the short side, allowing winger George Hendy to finish in the corner. Flyhalf Fin Smith’s conversion sent the teams into the break with Northampton leading 14-5.
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The second half followed a familiar pattern. Smith turned provider early, his grubber sitting up perfectly for Hendy to grab his second try of the match.
Matters worsened for the Bulls when prop Alulutho Tshakweni was yellow-carded in the 54th minute, a moment that summed up a frustrating day as he protested the decision to referee Hollie Davidson.
The Saints immediately made their numerical advantage count. No 8 Henry Pollock powered over for the bonus-point try, before South African lock JJ van der Mescht showcased his offloading skills in the build-up to second rower Alex Coles’ score.
The Saints keep on matching as Henry Pollock crashes over
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With the Bulls’ resistance fading, Sleightholme completed his brace, Hendy sealed his hat-trick, and flanker Josh Kemeny added the final blow.
NORTHAMPTON SAINTS – Tries: Ollie Sleightholme (2), George Hendy (3), Henry Pollock, Alex Coles, Josh Kemeny. Conversions: Fin Smith (5).
BULLS – Try: Stravino Jacobs.
Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images
The post Saints run riot as Bulls collapse appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
The Vodacom Bulls suffered an embarrassing defeat against a rampant Northampton Saints in Sunday’s Investec Champions Cup clash at Franklin’s Gardens.
The post Saints run riot as Bulls collapse appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
