With their pack in full cry, the Vodacom Bulls laid down a massive marker in Vodacom Super Rugby Unlocked when they beat the Cell C Sharks by 41-14 at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday evening.
The home team led 17-9 at the break and outscored their visitors from Durban by six tries to one to set up an emphatic bonus point win to move to the top of the standings after the earlier match between the Emirates Lions and Toyota Cheetahs had been called off.
Vodacom Bulls captain and No 8 Duane Vermeulen brilliantly led the charge and his fellow forwards followed suit at Fortress Loftus, winning the collisions and set pieces, creating opportunities for their backs and keeping the Cell C Sharks on the back foot for most of the game.
Apart from a few early scrum penalties against the Vodacom Bulls, their pack grew in stature and gradually took control of the contest which laid the platform for an impressive victory.
Scorers:
Vodacom Bulls – Tries: Stedman Gans (2), Marco van Staden (2), Marco Jansen van Vuren, Embrose Papier; Conversions: Morne Steyn (4); Penalty goal: Steyn.
Cell C Sharks – Try: Dylan Richardson; Penalty goals: Curwin Bosch (3).
