The nightmare continues for the Bulls. A third consecutive Currie Cup defeat, a 28-0 halftime deficit, and another chastening lesson delivered by a Lions side that looks to have rediscovered their bite at precisely the right moment.
The Fidelity ADT Lions proved far too strong for their Gauteng rivals at the University of Johannesburg on Saturday, running out convincing 42-19 winners in a match that was effectively over as a contest before the teams trudged off for the halftime oranges.
The opening 40 minutes belonged entirely to the home side, who produced a clinical four-try masterclass to put the game beyond the Bulls’ reach. The second half brought a spirited Bulls fightback that yielded three tries, but by then the damage was irreversible, the Lions had already stamped their authority all over this Jukskei Derby.
First half annihilation
The Lions came out with serious intent, and the Bulls had no answer. Ruan Delport crossed first to get the scoreboard ticking over, before hooker Conraad van Vuuren burrowed over to double the advantage. Morne Venter added a third, and when Mahle Sithole dotted down for the bonus-point score, the Bulls were shell-shocked at 28-0.
What made the demolition even more emphatic was flyhalf Sam Francis’ immaculate boot. Four tries, four conversions, a perfect record that pushed the halftime lead to four converted scores and left the visitors staring into the abyss.
The Bulls had been comprehensively outplayed across every facet. Breakdown dominance, set-piece superiority, and clinical finishing combined to produce a first-half performance that will have Lions supporters dreaming of silverware and Bulls fans demanding answers.
Bulls fight back, but too little too late
To their credit, the Pretoria outfit refused to surrender after the break. The youthful Bulls XV showed character to outscore the Lions in the second stanza, claiming three tries through Kebotile Maake, Devon Williams, and Riyaad Bam.
That fightback demonstrated the quality lurking within the Bulls squad, but it also highlighted the cruel reality, had they produced that intensity from the opening whistle, this might have been a genuine contest. Instead, they spent 40 minutes chasing shadows before finally finding their rhythm when the match was already decided.
The Lions weren’t content to shut up shop and defend their lead. Dylan Sjoblom and Asad Moos both crossed to seal the bonus-point victory and push the final margin out to 23 points, a comprehensive statement of intent from a side building serious momentum.
Three straight defeats: Bulls in crisis?
This marks the Bulls’ third consecutive Currie Cup defeat, a run of form that raises uncomfortable questions about the depth and direction of the Pretoria programme. After suffering losses in their opening fixtures, they needed to respond with a statement performance in the Jukskei Derby. Instead, they delivered their worst 40 minutes of the season.
Shipping 28 unanswered points in the first half against provincial rivals isn’t just disappointing, it’s alarming. The Bulls have now conceded heavily in consecutive matches, suggesting defensive frailties that opponents are exploiting ruthlessly.
The second-half improvement offers a glimmer of hope. Maake, Williams, and Bam all crossed the whitewash, proving the attacking weapons exist within the squad.
The Jukskei derby divide
This result extends the Lions’ recent dominance in this storied Gauteng rivalry. The 23-point margin represents a comprehensive statement that the balance of power has shifted decisively towards Johannesburg.
For Bulls supporters making the trip to UJ Stadium, the journey home would have been long and painful. Outplayed, outmuscled, and outscored, their side was second-best in every department that mattered.
The Lions faithful, meanwhile, have every reason to believe their side can challenge for silverware. Three wins, attacking rugby that has yielded tries aplenty, and defensive organisation that restricted the Bulls to second-half consolation scores, this is a team clicking into gear.
The Bulls desperately need to arrest this slide before three straight defeats becomes four. Questions will be asked about selection, tactics, and mental fragility after shipping 28 first-half points. The coaching staff have serious work to do before their next outing.
The Lions, by contrast, will carry momentum and confidence into upcoming fixtures. They’ve proven they can dominate Gauteng rivals, score tries from multiple sources, and close out victories professionally. That’s a dangerous combination for any opponent.
Saturday’s Jukskei Derby belonged entirely to the Lions. The Bulls fought back with pride in the second half, but the damage inflicted in that opening 40 minutes proved terminal. In the Currie Cup, you can’t gift opponents 28-point halftime leads and expect to recover.
The Lions knew that. The Bulls learned it the hard way.
To see all the points scorers read KickOff.com
