Bulls player John Mametsa scored a second hat-trick in successive matches against the Lions to set up a hard-earned 21-7 victory over their southern neighbours at Ellis Park on Saturday evening.
Everything Mametsa touched turned into gold just shy of year ago when he scored a hat-trick against the Lions at Loftus Versfeld in a Currie Cup encounter.
The Bulls failed to gain a bonus point in a typical South African derby where aimless kicking was the order of the day and most of the game was played between the two packs of forwards.
Mametsa scored his first try on the left winger minutes after the Lions scored their first points of the match — a break-away try by scrumhalf Jano Vermaak.
Then it was over to Mametsa and, with his three tries, the game was taken away from the Lions who tried to play more constructive rugby in the second half.
Mametsa also scored the Bulls’ only three tries in July last year when they beat the Lions in similar fashion as they walked away winners 25-11 — and three tries to one.
Had Bulls flyhalf Morne Steyn not left his kicking boots at home on Saturday, the score would have been even more similar. A year ago, he kicked two conversions and two penalties, but on Saturday evening, he could kick only a sole penalty goal early in the first half.
The only other score of a dull first half was thanks to a snap drop goal by Bulls scrumhalf JP Joubert.
Bulls Springbok flanker Pedrie Wannenberg had a huge game and a hand in Mametsa’s third try. He often breached the Lions defence. His opposite number, Franco van der Merwe, was the best Lion on display.
The Lions lost one home game last season en route to the Currie Cup final, and this loss could have a significant effect on their campaign. — Sapa