South Africa’s Northern Bulls boosted their semifinal prospects in the Super 12 with their first win in Australia after taking out the disjointed Queensland Reds 23-17 at Ballymore in Brisbane on Friday.
The Bulls barged their way into the top four with their dogged win, breaking a long run of outs in Australia following on from their win over the Wellington Hurricanes in New Zealand last season.
The South Africans scored two tries through winger Eddie Fredericks and hooker Gary Botha in the second half after trailing 12-6 at half-time.
Led by a stout tackling performance from Springbok prop Richard Bands, the Bulls overcome a ragged first half to take their chances and put away a mistake-riddled Reds team.
Victor Matfield’s Bulls hit the front eight minutes after half-time when fullback Hennie Daniller sliced through down the right and positioned winger Fredericks with an inside pass for a sprint to the line.
Concerted pressure was rewarded in the 60th minute when Botha ploughed over after the Bulls’ forwards had worked play to within metres of the Queensland try-line.
Springbok flyhalf Derick Hougaard had an immaculate goal-kicking night in wet conditions with two conversions and three penalties from as many attempts.
Northampton target centre Steve Kefu put the Reds six points up at the break with a 38th-minute try off a pass from Wallaby fullback Chris Latham.
Hougaard landed two penalties for a 6-5 lead after winger Peter Hynes raced on to a grubber kick from skipper and prop forward Nick Stiles for a 14th-minute try for the Reds.
Neither side could control possession in the greasy conditions, with light rain falling for most of the half.
Despite their reputation as the strongest pack in the Super 12, the Bulls forwards were well matched by their Queensland counterparts.
Wallaby winger Wendell Sailor grabbed a consolation try in the final minute for Queensland’s third try of the match.
Yet again the Reds, missing a number of injured players and in a transition season, went down after leading at half-time.
Queensland may yet end the Super 12 season with the wooden spoon if South Africa’s Golden Cats can pick up points in the closing weeks of the tournament. — Sapa-AFP