It was one almighty scrap for provincial bragging rights, but the Bulls’ greater composure and calibre pulled them through to emerge 35-22 winners over the Lions in their United Rugby Championship derby at Ellis Park on Saturday.
And it was a combination of old-style forward dominance, as well as some magic dust from replacement flyhalf Willie le Roux that snuffed out an energetic Lions riposte to an early 10-0 deficit.
The Bulls began the game on the back foot as co-captain Ruan Nortjé was forced off with a knee injury after just five minutes, and they wasted two attacking opportunities soon after that as loose forwards Cameron Hanekom and Elrigh Louw lost possession at crucial times.
But their much-vaunted front row of Gerhard Steenekamp, Johan Grobbelaar and Wilco Louw put the heat on the Lions trio of Juan Schoeman, PJ Botha and Asenathi Ntlabakanye early on, and the visitors quickly added to an early Boeta Chamberlain penalty with a terrific try.
Flyhalf Chamberlain launched an excellent kick downfield that was chased with great vigour by wing Sergeal Petersen, who managed to claim possession and offload to a grateful David Kriel to dive over.
Bulls No 8 Cameron Hanekom was also almost unstoppable with ball-in-hand, while he made some big hits in defence and contested the breakdowns aggressively.
The Lions, though, soon awoke from their slumber, and flyhalf Sam Francis slotted two penalties to make it 10-6 after half-an-hour.
But with massive tackles flying in from both sides, the physicality took its toll, with first Hanekom going off for an HIA – which he thankfully passed and later returned to the pitch – and then Petersen also needed treatment before coming back.
The Lions, though, had found their shape on attack, and produced a stunning try by lively centre Henco van Wyk, with fullback Quan Horn chipping the ball ahead and Van Wyk holding off Embrose Papier to score to edge the hosts in front at 11-10.
The Bulls sustained another injury blow early in the second half when Elrigh Louw’s left leg got stuck under itself in a tackle, and he was taken off on a stretcher and golf cart.
But that signalled Hanekom’s return from an HIA, and the influential Nizaam Carr remained on the pitch and continued to deliver some lovely soft hands on attack to add real flow to the Bulls onslaught.
The Lions, though, didn’t go away, and Francis landed two more penalties to Chamberlain’s one to make it 17-13 to the home side after 53 minutes.
That was when veteran Springbok fullback Le Roux emerged at flyhalf in place of Chamberlain, and the Bulls started to stretch the Lions defence.
Le Roux’s impact was immediate as he got a few passes away before finding Akker van der Merwe on a short line, and the ball got to a flying Cobus Wiese to force his way over.
Jake White’s substitutes added immense impetus to the Bulls, and a David Kriel penalty stretched the lead to 23-17.
The Lions didn’t give up, and lock Etienne Oosthuizen’s charge over from close range nearly put them back into the lead, but Francis missed the conversion.
It was anybody’s game at 23-22 to the Bulls in the last quarter, but then up stepped Player of the Match Marcell Coetzee to dive over and give them some breathing space.
Van der Merwe delivered the knockout punch through a trademark lineout driving maul try with 10 minutes to go to clinch victory in an enthralling encounter.
Points-Scorers
Lions 22 – Tries: Henco van Wyk, Etienne Oosthuizen. Penalties: Sam Francis (4).
Bulls 35 – Tries: David Kriel, Cobus Wiese, Marcell Coetzee, Akker van der Merwe. Conversions: Boeta Chamberlain (1), Kriel (2). Penalties: Chamberlain (2), Kriel (1).