PRETORIA — The Bulls thrashed the Lions 57-15 in their United Rugby Championship clash at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, with Cameron Hanekom and Willie le Roux leading the player ratings after dominant displays. Hanekom was described as brutal as he bullied his opponents, while 37-year-old Le Roux unpicked the visitors' defence as the primary playmaker.
Le Roux earned an 8 despite no longer having the pace for searing breaks, his rugby intelligence proving invaluable as he controlled the contest. He dovetailed nicely with Curwin Bosch, who scored 7 on his return after a stint in France and looked the better for it. On the wings, Canan Moodie and Sebastian de Klerk both scored 8 — Moodie a constant threat on the right and largely error-free, while De Klerk, back after missing the final few months of last season, troubled the Lions with pace, footwork and physicality. Harold Vorster scored 7 after kick-starting the scoring with a lovely chip and regather, while Stedman Gans was solid but less influential with a 6. Scrum-half Paul de Wet, an excellent stand-in for the absent Embrose Papier, was lively and accurate from the base to earn an 8.
In the pack, Springboks loose forward Hanekom scored 8 and looked a cut above when he made his impacts, most brutally with a hand-off on Richard Kriel — who is not a small wing — for his second score. Jeandre Rudolph also scored 8 and was again a standout with big moments in defence and attack, continuing as their best player since joining the Pretoria outfit at the start of last season. Captain Hanro Liebenberg scored 6, working hard as the glue in the back row but less influential than his colleagues. In the tight five, Francois Klopper, Johan Grobbelaar and Gerhard Steenekamp each scored 7 after establishing control in the set-piece for the opening 43 to 45 minutes, while JF van Heerden and Ruan Vermaak both scored 6 in workmanlike shifts before lineout wobbles crept in after the break.
The replacements collectively scored 8 after providing much-needed impetus on the hour mark. With the Lions having edged their way back into the contest, the Bulls made mass changes and finished strongly with three late tries, including one for wing Cheswill Jooste. The front row, Cobus Wiese, Elrigh Louw, Handre Pollard and Jooste were all excellent off the bench as the hosts pulled clear.