Lions, Bulls and Stormers tick all the boxes
The Stormers left it late on Friday night against the Dragons from Wales, but when they turned it on it was a beautiful demonstration of winning rugby.
Having scored just one try until the 70th minute they took charge and scored three typical Cape Town tries, with that fourth try giving them a vital bonus point try and leaving them in fifth for the Vodacom United Rugby Championship.
➤ The Bulls dominated early in their match, with the Glasgow Warriors looking positively second-hand.
The Bulls’ first try once again saw Akker van der Merwe’s name on the scoreboard with the tries of Elrigh Louw and Canan Moodie coming after superb handling.
But the Warriors are not tipped to win the VURC tournament for nothing. The Bulls let it slip in the last 20 minutes allowing their opponents to score three tries, with Duncan Weir scoring a penalty after full time for that vital losing bonus point.
But the Bulls have made an important statement. When it matters they can beat the best.
➤ The Lions, playing the kind of rugby they are known for, left Cardiff Rugby grasping at straws for almost the full 80 minutes at Emirates Airline Park, allowing the visitors only two penalties and one try.
The Lions, however, almost blew it when they left scoring the bonus point try with the clock in the red. The Lions are 10th on the log and if they play their best rugby of the season they could still get into the top eight. Their first challenge comes this weekend when they face the Glasgow Warriors who will have a point to prove.
Dragons 21-44 DHL Stormers
Dragons tries: Harri Keddie, Aaron Wainwright
Stormers: Angelo Davids (2) Evan Roos, Sacha Mngomezulu (2)
Vodacom Bulls 40-34 Glasgow Warriors
Bulls tries: Akker van der Merwe, Cameron Hanekom, Elrigh Louw, Canan Moodie
Glasgow: Matt Fagerson, Kyle Steyn, Sebastian Cancelliere, Duncan Weir
Hollywoodbets Sharks 24-25 Benetton
Sharks tries: Aphelele Fassi, Ox Nche, Werner Kok (2)
Benetton: Tommaso Menoncello, Gianmarco Lucchesi, Jacob Umaga
Emirates Lions 34-13 Cardiff
Lions tries: Ruan Venter, Quan Horn, Emmanuel Tshituka (2)
Cardiff: Corey Domachowski
Pictured above: The Lions.
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