The Vodacom Bulls claimed their first win of the 2023 Currie Cup with a convincing victory over Griquas at Loftus Versfeld on Friday night.
Fielding an outfit laden with United Rugby Championship and Champion Cup stalwarts, the hosts got off to a quick start and maintained that intensity to produce a 40-3 victory, ending their 10-match slump across multiple competitions.
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The Bulls forward pack was dominant, making metres with every carry. Lock Ruan Vermaak and prop Mornay Smith both crashed over the line to give the Bulls a 12-3 lead at the start of the second quarter.
The dominance continued, this time flanker Cyle Brink going over from a quick-tap on the five-metre line before scrumhalf Embrose Papier claimed the bonus-point try, capping off some brilliant counter-attacking rugby as the Bulls headed into the break with a 26-3 lead.
BUS IS FULL!!! pic.twitter.com/NSSe1zzWNl
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) April 7, 2023
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Winger David Kriel was next to add his name to the scoresheet, Kurt-Lee Arendse slicing his way through the defence before off-loading for Kriel to canter over.
With the floodgates opened, prop Gerhard Steenekamp grabbed the final points of the game as he ran a beautiful line before showing some pace to cross the whitewash.
The Bulls will look to build on the win when they travel to Kings Park next week to face the Sharks, while Griquas will look to bounce back against the Lions in Johannesburg.
Photo: Twitter: @BlueBullsRugby