Willie le Roux dotted down on debut as the Vodacom Bulls powered to a bonus-point victory over Connacht in Pretoria on Saturday.
The Vodacom Bulls marked their homecoming from a four-week tour with a stylish 53-27 win in hot conditions at Loftus Versfeld.
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It was the home side’s fourth win in six matches – their 14th in a row at home against a northern-hemisphere side – and saw them temporarily lift themselves into the Vodacom URC’s top four.
Having welcomed back a couple of Springboks to their starting lineup, the Vodacom Bulls opened up an early 18-3 lead in the first 30 minutes through well-worked tries from Akker van der Merwe and Ruan Nortje.
Is Akker van der Merwe a better finisher than his younger brother Duhan van der Merwe? 🤔
It runs in the family 😉#BKTURC #URC #BULvCON pic.twitter.com/X0zwhVa4wf
— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) November 25, 2023
Making his first appearance in the Vodacom Bulls’ blue, after returning to South Africa from Japan, Le Roux didn’t take long to impact the match, scoring his first try for his new side towards the end of the first half, after setting wing Sebastian de Klerk on a break with a wonderfully floated pass.
The veteran fullback also kicked a wonderfully weighted 50/22 in the build-up to the Vodacom Bulls’ fifth try, scored by Nizaam Carr.
🏆 @Springboks #RWC2023 Champion Willie le Roux scores in his first try on debut for the Vodacom @Blue_Bulls_Official since lifting the World Cup trophy 🏆#BKTURC #URC | #BULvCON pic.twitter.com/FxuzhrpTo4
— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) November 25, 2023
While Connacht momentarily narrowed the scores with a try after Akker van der Merwe was shown a yellow card for a cynical infringment, the Vodacom Bulls did very well to manage that 10-minute period and effectively chalked out the visitors’ score when Carr dived over the line.
Further tries from centre David Kriel and flyhalf Chris Smith brought up the half-century for the hosts, adding further gloss to an excellent victory.
Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images