Rugby
Bulls stay on top of Currie Cup table after taking down Pumas─── ILSE SMALBERGER 10:45 Sat, 17 Aug 2024
The Pumas certainly looked back in the game at 26–24, but the Bulls were not going to let this one go.
The Bulls continued their unbeaten run in the Currie Cup tournament by beating the Pumas convincingly in Nelspruit by 40–24. The team from Pretoria scored six tries in their bonus-point win – four in the first half.
Utility Bulls back Cornel Smith scored within the first six minutes with his try converted by Keagan Johannes. Sibongile Novuka scored an unconverted try seven minutes later, with hooker Joe van Zyl scoring twice before half-time to secure a bonus point for the Bulls inside the opening 40 minutes.
Hooker Eduan Swart managed an unconverted try for the Pumas just before the half-time whistle, but the Bulls’ 26–5 half-time lead must have made the hosts feel decidedly uncomfortable.
The Bulls beat the Pumas convincingly in Nelspruit by 40–24. Picture: Facebook
That must be why they came out guns blazing in the second half. The Pumas scored three tries within the first ten minutes of the second half. Darren Adonis, Clinton Swart, and Tino Swanepoel all went over the line, with Swart converting all three tries.
The Pumas certainly looked back in the game at 26–24, but the Bulls were not going to let this one go. Devon Williams and Cornel Smit scored converted tries for the Bulls to break the hearts of the Nelspruit faithful.
The Bulls are now comfortably on top of the Currie Cup table with 31 points and will face the Griquas next Friday at home. The Pumas are fourth on 19 points and will travel to Welkom next Sunday to face the Griffons.
