The Bulls made a resounding statement of intent at Ellis Park on Saturday 31 January, demolishing the Lions 52-17 in a one-sided United Rugby Championship derby that showcased old-school Pretoria brutality at its finest.
Johan Ackermann‘s charges stampeded to eight tries while restricting the hosts to just two scores, claiming maximum points and precious bragging rights in the process.
Former Lion Harold Vorster drew first blood in the ninth minute, powering over the line in what would become a man-of-the-match performance. Chris Smith replied with a penalty for the hosts, but that solitary contribution represented the Lions’ entire first-half output as the visitors ran riot.
Johan Grobbelaar, Handré Pollard and Kurt-Lee Arendse crossed before the interval to secure the bonus point, with Pollard converting three of the four tries despite Arendse receiving a yellow card for an aerial collision.
The manner of the Bulls’ dominance felt remarkably familiar, harking back to the Heyneke Meyer era of relentless forward brutality and territorial dominance. Pollard and Embrose Papier orchestrated proceedings beautifully, with the forwards folding around the corner repeatedly to batter the Lions’ defensive line.
The Bulls controlled 66% of possession in the opening period and enjoyed a 57% territorial advantage, accumulating 138 post-contact metres from 91 carries as they systematically wore down their opponents in the hammering Johannesburg heat.
Morne van den Berg’s 44th-minute try briefly threatened a comeback, but the Bulls swiftly extinguished any hopes of a Lions resurgence. Vorster grabbed his second before Papier, Pollard, Celimpilo Gumede and Keagan Johannes ensured the visitors matched their first-half try tally. Bronson Mills crossed with the clock in the red, but his late consolation mattered little in the grand scheme of things.
The victory marks a remarkable turnaround for Ackermann’s side following seven consecutive defeats that threatened to derail their entire campaign. A fortnight in the north worked wonders as the Bulls qualified for the Investec Champions Cup Round of 16 and have now strung together three successive victories.
Pollard, whose tenure has mirrored the team’s struggles while adapting to new structures, looked far more comfortable dictating proceedings in this traditional Bulls-style rather than the expansive attacking rugby initially attempted.
For the Lions, this comprehensive defeat could not have arrived at a worse time. Following promising victories over the Sharks and Lyon, consecutive stalemates and this drubbing indicate a team desperately requiring the upcoming break.
Far too many tackles and carries lacked the necessary edge and aggression for a South African derby, while the defence fractured alarmingly easily around the fringes. The Lions certainly possess the talent to challenge for the URC play-offs, but they cannot afford many more performances like this catastrophic afternoon at Ellis Park.
