South Africa's Northern Bulls monstered the misfiring New South Wales Waratahs to claim an outstanding 32-19 Super 14 rugby victory for their first Sydney success yesterday.
The Bulls comprehensively outplayed and outmuscled the Waratahs, semi-finalists for the past two years, winning by four tries to one to claim a bonus point and move into second place behind Auckland Blues after six rounds.
The Pretoria-based team broke new ground last week with their first win in Canberra, downing the ACT Brumbies 19-7, and they were even more impressive in making the Waratahs look second-best for their first win in Sydney in 11 years of Super 12/14 rugby.
PHOTO: AP
Flying winger Bryan Habana scored two tries with his blistering pace and scrumhalf Fourie du Preez capped a strong game with a brace of tries, his second effort clinching the scoring bonus point 13 minutes from full-time.
The Bulls' overpowering defense was only breached once, with quick-stepping flyhalf Kurtley Beale scoring a consolation try four minutes from the end as the Waratahs slumped to third-last spot ahead of the Waikato Chiefs and Queensland Reds.
The South Africans dominated the line-outs with Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha claiming seven of NSW's throw-ins and the Bulls winning the turnovers 28-16.
The Bulls remarkably won with ease despite ill-discipline costing them 17 penalties and missing 25 tackles.
There may be a concern coming out of the match for the Bulls with center JP Nel likely to face scrutiny over a swinging arm tackle that knocked out flanker Rocky Elsom in a second-half tackle.
The wasteful Waratahs, who committed 15 handling errors, looked a badly beaten team in the final stages as the Bulls' buffeting took its toll.
The Pretoria outfit now have two consecutive wins on their difficult five-match away trip and face six-time champions Canterbury Crusaders in Christchurch next Saturday, while the troubled Waratahs face up to more South African opposition with the Western Stormers in Sydney on the same day.
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