The Bulls kept South Africa’s flame firmly flying in the Super 12 Friday night as they demolished the Auckland Blues 38-24 at Loftus Versfeld. With the game a win-at-all-costs affair, the Bulls came out snorting and scored five tries to three to take the full compliment of points from the game.
It was the Bulls fourth consecutive win and kept their unbeaten home record intact, as a brace from winger Bryan Habana and another from Ettienne Botha saw them home.
The Bulls now need victories in their two remaining games — against the Sharks (away) and Stormers (home) respectively to ensure that they qualify for the semifinals. Blues fullback Isa Nacewa opened the scoring early on for the visitors, as he finished off a backline movement which had stretched the field three times and had the Bulls defence outnumbered in the end.
But then Habana, who is fast becoming a local hero in these parts, showed why he is so highly rated with two tries in as many minutes to put the Bulls back into the lead. First the winger was on hand after JP Nel sliced his way through the midfield In a scissor movement to force a penalty close to the line.
The ball moved quickly wide, and Habana finished off a move by beating Keven Mealamu to the line. From the kickoff, Habana fielded the ball and beat Doug Howlett who tried to chase him down. He sprinted upfield along the sideline, kicked ahead and collected for a breathtaking try.
Howlett retook the lead for the Blues shortly afterwards as he found a gap between Anton Leonard and Pedrie Wannenburg to go over solo. Shortly before the break, Ettienne Botha went over from close range to put the Bulls back in front with a 19-14 scoreline at the break.
The second half saw the Bulls start slowly once again and even though they went ahead with two penalties from Morne Steyn to the one by Luke McAllister, it was the Blues who struck early when Steyn’s clearance kick could not find touch.
Joe Rocokoco ran it back hard, and the recycled ball had the Bulls stretched enough for Mils Muliaina to go over unopposed in the corner. At 25-24 with ten minutes to go, it looked to be heading for a tense ending before the Bulls upped the ante again and forced two consecutive penalties on the Blues line.
With their third go, Botha went blind and was stopped short, but managed to place the ball on the line and the television official confirmed the try to give the Bulls some breathing space.
The visitors threw everything at their opponents, but were penalised in front of their own goalposts, and Steyn stepped up to seal the match from a penalty with three minutes to go.
It got even better for the Bulls, as a dropped Blues pass was hacked ahead by Akona Ndungane, who won the race to the line and scored the fifth try to send the Loftus crowd into wild celebration. – Sapa