Recap
Griffons vs Blue Bulls
Down Touch Investments Stadium, Welkom, July 14, 2024, 14:00
In a commanding display of rugby prowess, the Vodacom Bulls trounced the Novavit Griffons with a resounding 52-10 victory at the Down Touch Investments Stadium in Welkom. This Carling Currie Cup – Premier Division match, held on July 14, 2024, showcased the Bulls’ relentless offensive power and cohesive team play, leaving the Griffons struggling to keep pace.
From the outset, the Bulls established their dominance. Aphiwe Dyantyi set the tone with a swift try in the opening minute, converted by Jaco Van Der Walt, who continued to impress with his kicking precision. By the 7th minute, Mpiloh Gumede added another try, and with Van Der Walt’s conversion, the Bulls surged ahead.
Devon Williams and Gumede further extended the lead with tries at the 12th and 18th minutes, respectively. The Griffons managed a brief respite when Andrew Kota crossed the line in the 33rd minute, but the Bulls’ Bernard Van Der Linde quickly responded with another try, cementing a commanding 31-5 halftime lead.
The second half was no less intense. Chris Smit’s try immediately after the break, followed by a successful conversion by Chris Smith, reaffirmed the Bulls’ control. Despite a yellow card for the Griffons’ Thato Mavundla and an injury substitution for the Bulls’ Jaco Van Der Walt, the visitors remained unyielding. Sintu Manjezi and Cornal Hendricks added their names to the scoresheet, with Smith’s conversions adding extra points.
The Griffons showed glimpses of resistance, with Mingo Piti scoring a try in the 74th minute, but it was too little, too late. The Bulls’ strategic substitutions and depth in the squad shone through, particularly with Hendricks’ late try, sealing the emphatic victory.
This match was a testament to the Vodacom Bulls’ tactical superiority and physical fitness, underscoring their championship aspirations. For the Novavit Griffons, it was a sobering lesson in the level of intensity and precision required at the top tier of the Currie Cup. As the season progresses, the Bulls will look to maintain this form, while the Griffons must regroup and strategize for the challenges ahead.