Bulls trample Kings, Stormers outmuscle Cheetahs

The Bulls all but wrapped up the SA conference on Saturday after picking up a clinical 48-18 victory over the Southern Kings at Loftus Versfeld.

Frans Ludeke’s side had the bonus-point in the bag with 35 minutes on the clock as they enjoyed the lion’s share of ball and territory in Pretoria.

The win lifted the Bulls to 59 points, level with the Brumbies, but they move ahead of the Australian side due to a higher number of victories in the Super Rugby competition.

The Stormers closed the gap on the sixth-placed Cheetahs to four points after overcoming their Bloemfontein visitors 28-3 at Newlands on Saturday.

It was a must-win Super Rugby fixture for the Cape Town franchise and while they claimed the victory, questions will be asked of why they didn’t push for the try bonus-point earlier than they did.

As it was their late surge saw them score tries in the 65th and 70th minute – via Siya Kolisi and Bryan Habana respectively – following Deon Fourie’s first-half five-pointer off a driving maul.

The Stormers’ remaining fixtures are against the Kings (away) and finally the Bulls at this venue as their season continues to hang by a thread.

-planet rugby