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A number of Bulls players delivered strong performances in a comfortable win.
Bulls wing Sebastian de Klerk scored two tries against Cardiff on Saturday. Picture: Johan Orton/Gallo Images
The Bulls scored six scintillating tries to smash Cardiff Rugby 45-21 in their penultimate round United Rugby Championship match at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
The bonus point victory moved the Bulls into second place on the URC points table with 63 points, before Glasgow Warriors’ (59) match against Benetton (41) later Saturday.
Log leaders Leinster (67) were also still to face Zebre (29) in their second-last game of the regular season.
The Bulls were by far the better team and continued where they left off on their European tour last month. Their handling and support play was especially good, while they showed plenty of hunger and determination, mostly in a strong first half showing.
Jake White’s men dominated all departments, with their forwards laying the foundation for a thrilling backline display by the Bulls. Johann Grobbelaar led the charge, but not far behind was Cobus Wiese, Marcell Coetzee, Rian Nortje and Cameron Hanekom.
And at the back, replacement flyhalf Keagan Johannes delivered a strong performance after coming on for Johan Goosen in the 12th minute, while Canan Moodie, Sebastian de Klerk and Wilie le Roux were also excellent in attack.
Goosen appears to have hurt his left knee again, which will be a major worry for White and his team with the playoffs now just weeks away.
The Bulls led 31-0 at half-time thanks to tries by Harold Vorster, Wilco Louw, Moodie and Hanekom and then 38-0 just after the start of the second half, after De Klerk went in for the first of his two tries.
He’d score again a few minutes later, but not before Cardiff had finally scored a try of their own.
At 45-7 up, the game was won by the Bulls and they went to sleep somewhat as they allowed the visitors to Pretoria to cross for two more converted tries, to give the scoreline a bit more respectability at 45-21.
The Bulls’ final regular season game before the quarter-finals is next Saturday afternoon against Dragons, the team from Wales who have won just one game all season.
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