In another high-scoring Carling Currie Cup encounter, the Vodacom Bulls claimed a dominant 21-48 victory over the Sigma Lions at Emirates Airline Park on Saturday afternoon.
After a closely contested opening stanza, the Vodacom Bulls accelerated their efforts in the second half to finish the game with seven tries to the Sigma Lions’ two five-pointers in the thrilling Jukskei derby.
It was the home side that showed early signs of hunger as the boot of flyhalf, Jordan Hendrikse, gave them an early lead with three successive penalties. However, the visiting team responded with two tries through Janko Swanepoel and WJ Steenkamp, before the Sigma Lions’ PJ Steenkamp also scored for the Johannesburg-based side, to take the half-time score to 16-17 in favour of the Vodacom Bulls.
In the second half, the Sigma Lions could only add an unconverted try from replacement prop, Nathan McBeth, while the Vodacom Bulls scored five tries with four of them being converted.
The Vodacom Bulls’ dominance in the second placed the game out of reach for the Sigma Lions, and earned the Tshwane-based side a deserved bonus-point win away from home.
The Vodacom Bulls will next face the New Nation Pumas in a mid-week clash in Nelspruit on Wednesday.
SCORERS
Sigma Lions (16) 21
TRIES: PJ Steenkamp, Nathan McBeth
CONVERSION: Jordan Hendrikse
PENALTIES: Hendrikse (3)
Vodacom Bulls (17) 48
TRIES: Janko Swanepoel, WJ Steenkamp, Chris Smith, Gerhard Steenekamp, Johan Goosen, Madosh Tambwe, Zak Burger
CONVERSIONS: Chris Smith (5)
PENALTY: Smith
