The Blue Bulls played better than the scoreline of 44-18 in favour of the Free State Cheetahs indicated in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
Free State led 10-6 at half-time.
The difference between the two sides was the impact the replacements made for the home team. Coming off the bench, Ollie le Roux, Kabamba Floors and winger Gavin Passens changed the face of the game.
Floors was absolutely brilliant and Le Roux added some spice with his vast experience. Passens, in the absence of Meyer Bosman and Philip Burger for most of the game, did not put a foot wrong.
For the visitors hooker Derick Küun, scrumhalf Neil Powell and lock Francois van Schouwenburg played well for the visitors. The Bulls were dominant in the line-outs and played some great rugby for 70 minutes.
Free State will hope that the injuries to Burger and Bosman are not too serious. However, coach Naka Drotské will welcome the return of Adriaan Strauss, Barend Pieterse and Hendro Scholtz for the second half of the season. — Sapa