The Bulls finally crossed over the line to secure their first win of the Super Rugby season after they beat the Highlanders 38-13 at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday 07 March.
Tries from Jaco Visagie, Warrick Gelant, Cornal Hendricks and a hatrick from winger Rosko Specman propelled the side from the Capital of South Africa to an impressive win.
The game at Loftus Versfeld began at a ferocious pace with both sides going at each other, the Highlanders were banking on their quick hands moving the game at a fast rate but the Blue Bulls countered that with their physicality. The rejuvenated forward pack of the home side stamped its authority on the game and from a lineout drive steered by hooker Jaco Visagie, a try came out. Prior to that Highlanders center Josh Ioane finished of a well worked try and in the process he scored the conversion and a penalty at the stroke of halftime. The scores at the break was 5 - 10 to the Highlanders.
There was a sense of tension at Loftus, there a brace yourself for another loss mood. The Blue Bulls were not handling well, the midfielders and wingers were not receiving the ball and Mannie Libbok was playing a kicking game, things were not gelling. Another frustration of the first half, was the identical strips the teams had on.
In the second half the Blue Bulls changed into their away kit, a yellow jersey which was suppose to be launched against the Warathas. The yellow jersey came as a blessing and it moved away the blue cloud that was hanging over the Bulls. Things changed drastically in the second half for the Bulls, Mannie Libbok was pulling the strings, playing the ball with ease, the forwards were moving the ball when they had it instead of running into a man, that cohesive phase led to the back trio of Warrick Gelant, Rosko Specman and Cornal Hendricks scoring five tries with Mannie Libbok and Morne Steyn slotting in the conversions, leading the home side to a comfortable 38 - 13 victory.
The win came as a huge pressure relief, no one was more pleased with it than Blue Bulls head coach Pote Human.
"It was a vital win for us, we were under huge pressure. I must give credit to all 23 players, especially the youngsters that came in. I am the set piece went very well; we scrummed well; we mauled well; although we gave away unnecessary penalties. But the way we played in the second half is how we want to play as the Bulls. I am a relived man and this win was important for the tour coming up," said Pote Human.
Blue Bulls captain Trevor Nyakane paid homage to the Loftus faithful after they stuck with the team after the tough start to the season.
"Our fans have been very faithful to us even when things were not going very well, they stuck with us. Thankful to them for what they have done for us, and we actually did owe them a victory, something for them to enjoy as well. It was very important for us to get the victory and to be able to board the plane with confidence," concluded Nyakane.
Scorers
Bulls
Try: Jaco Visagie, Warrick Gelant, Rosko Specman (3), Cornal Hendricks
Con: Mannie Libbok (3) Morne Steyn
Pen
Highlanders
Try: Josh Ioane,
Con: Josh Ioane
Pen: Josh Ioane (2)
Teams
Bulls: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Nafi Tuitavake, 12 Johnny Kotze, 11 Rosko Specman, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Muller Uys, 7 Josh Strauss, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Ian Groenewald, 3 Trevor Nyakane (captain), 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Lizo Gqoboka.
Replacements: 16 Corniel Els, 17 Gerhard Steenkamp, 18 Wiehahn Herbst, 19 Ryno Pieterse, 20 Ruan Steenkamp, 21 Ivan van Zyl, 22 Morné Steyn, 23 Divan Rossouw.
Highlanders: 15 Michael Collins, 14 Josh McKay, 13 Ngane Punivai, 12 Josh Ioane, 11 Jona Nareki, 10 Mitch Hunt, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Marino Mikaele Tu’u, 7 Dillon Hunt, 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Manaaki Selby-Rickit, 4 Jesse Parete, 3 Siate Tokolahi, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Ayden Johnstone
Replacements: 16 Ash Dixon, 17 Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18 Jeff Thwaites, 19 Jack Whetton, 20 Teariki Ben-Nicholas, 21 Kayne Hammington, 22 Teihorangi Walden, 23 Tima Fainga’anuku
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