BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa, March 3 (Reuters) –
Flyhalf Morne Steyn became the third player to
score 1000 Super Rugby points as he converted all six of the
Bulls’ tries and added three penalties in their impressive 51-19
hammering of the Cheetahs on Saturday.
Steyn joined Canterbury Crusaders flyhalf Dan Carter (1,272
points) and Australian Stirling Mortlock (1,031) as he became
the first South African to reach four figures. He has now scored
1,012 points in 91 games, all for the Bulls.
The Bulls went to the top of the standings with nine points
despite finishing the match with 13 men after Francois Hougaard
was harshly red carded in the 64th minute for a tip-tackle and
flank Jacques Potgieter was yellow carded for a shoulder-charge
in the 78th minute.
However, such setbacks failed to stop the Bulls from
charging to victory and condemning fellow South African side the
Cheetahs to the bottom of the table.
Props Dean Greyling and Werner Kruger scored the first two
Bulls tries from close range, while Cheetahs flyhalf Johan
Goosen kept the home side in touch with his immaculate kicking
ability as he scored three penalties to narrow the gap to 17-9.
The Bulls kept piling on the pressure as wing Bjorn Basson
scored another try to open up a commanding 31-12 lead at
halftime.
Following the interval, Akona Ndungane burst clear of the
Cheetahs’ defence and passed inside for fullback Zane Kirchner
to score.
Steyn landed his second and third penalties to stretch the
lead to 37-12 after 58 minutes.
“We’re very disappointed but credit to the Bulls,
tactically they were better than us and credit to their
defence,” Cheetahs captain Adriaan Strauss said.
Continued…
