SA Teams' Mixed Results In URC Round 10: Bulls, Sharks Win; Stormers falter
SA Teams' Mixed Results In URC Round 10: Bulls, Sharks Win; Stormers falter
Mixed fortunes for SA teams in United Rugby Championship as Bulls and Sharks win, while the Stormers and Lions face tough defeats in round 10 action.
South African teams experienced a weekend of contrasting emotions in round 10 of the United Rugby Championship. While the Vodacom Bulls and Hollywoodbets Sharks secured crucial wins to maintain their positions near the top of the table, the Emirates Lions and DHL Stormers suffered disappointing defeats that underlined their struggles in the competition.
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Vodacom Bulls Outclass Emirates Lions in Jukskei Derby
The Vodacom Bulls extended their fine form with a commanding 35-22 bonus-point victory over the Emirates Lions in an intense Jukskei derby at Emirates Airline Park on Saturday. The Bulls’ sixth win of the season solidified their status as title contenders, with the team showcasing both attacking flair and defensive resilience.
The match was a hard-fought affair early on, with both sides failing to fully capitalise on their opportunities in the first half. The Bulls took an early 10-0 lead courtesy of Boeta Chamberlain’s penalty and a converted try by David Kriel. However, the Lions clawed their way back into contention through Henco van Wyk’s try and the boot of Sam Francis, edging ahead 11-10 by the 33rd minute. Despite the close contest, the Bulls' quality shone in the second half as they turned the screws with tries from Cobus Wiese, Marcel Coetzee, and Akker van der Merwe. A late try by Etienne Oosthuizen gave the Lions a glimmer of hope, but the Bulls’ strong finish sealed the victory.
Unfortunately for the Bulls, injuries to key Springbok forwards Ruan Nortje and Elrigh Louw marred an otherwise excellent outing. They remain in third place on the table with 30 points.
Leinster Too Strong for DHL Stormers in Dublin
The DHL Stormers faced a daunting task against the unbeaten Leinster and came up short, losing 36-12 at the Aviva Stadium. Despite a spirited performance, the Capetonians were ultimately outclassed by a clinical Irish side that ran in five tries to two.
The Stormers began brightly, with Ben Loader’s try in the 20th minute narrowing Leinster’s early 10-0 lead to 10-7. Manie Libbok’s clever distribution created opportunities, and the Stormers’ defence initially held firm against Leinster’s attacks. However, a late first-half try handed the hosts a 15-7 advantage at the break. The second half saw Leinster explode into action, scoring three tries in a devastating seven-minute blitz to put the game beyond reach. While Evan Roos powered over for a consolation try in the dying minutes, the Stormers were left ruing missed chances and a lack of cutting edge.
The loss leaves the Stormers languishing in 12th place with just 21 points as their hopes of a resurgence grow increasingly slim.
Hollywoodbets Sharks Dominate Cardiff for Crucial Away Win
In Wales, the Hollywoodbets Sharks delivered an impressive 42-22 victory over Cardiff, marking their first win against the Welsh side in the competition. The Sharks showcased their attacking prowess with six tries, as the likes of Bongi Mbonambi, Makazole Mapimpi, and Yaw Penxe played starring roles.
The Sharks built a commanding 21-5 lead in the first half with tries from Mbonambi, Jurenzo Julius, and Mapimpi. Cardiff rallied briefly, reducing the deficit to 28-22 midway through the second half, but the Sharks regained control with late tries from Francois Venter and Penxe to secure the bonus-point win. Jordan Hendrikse’s flawless kicking, converting all six tries, was instrumental in the Sharks’ triumph.
The victory lifts the Sharks to fourth on the table with 29 points, keeping them firmly in the playoff race.
Looking Ahead
With a short break on the horizon, as the Six Nations begins, only the Stormers and Bulls will see action next weekend in a postponed round-one clash in Cape Town. The Bulls remain South Africa’s best hope for silverware, while the Sharks continue to build momentum. However, the Lions and Stormers face uphill battles to salvage their seasons.
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