Great defense pulled the trigger for the Bulls against Cardiff Rugby in the Welsh capital. The Pretorians currently occupy – admittedly in a temporary capacity – the top spot in the United Rugby Championship standings.
A flying Embrose Papier’s great finishing work ensured the first points of the game, after which Sebastian de Klerk scored the visitors’ second try a short time later.
But after that the Bulls had to defend their man, while a few of the referee’s decisions would also cause frowns in the city of Jakaranda.
Still, Nizaam Carr’s team deserves a pat on the back – ten league points in three overseas matches is definitely something to be proud of.
Scorers:
Bulls: Tries: Embrose Papier and Sebastian de Klerk. Goal kick: Chris Smith. Penalties: Smith (2).
Cardiff: Tries: Mason Grady and Ray Lee-Lo. Goal kick: Tinus de Beer.
- However, things were less rosy for the Sharks against Zebre.
The Italians – who have often waved the wooden spoon around in previous tournaments – won their first game in 29 attempts when they beat the Durbanites 12 – 10.
It was referee Peter Martin’s shrill whistle in particular that hurt the Sharks the most. A bunch of penalties and cards (yellow and red) contributed to the visitors’ nightmare performance.
In a nutshell, the Sharks were once again just not good enough and they lost a game that most rugby fans believed they could win beforehand.
After four attempts, the team from Durban has not been able to win a single game and they are at the bottom of the official standings.
Scorers:
Zebre: Penalty kicks: Geronimo Prisciantelli (3) and Jacopo Trulla.
Sharks: Three: Cameron Wright. Goal kick: Boeta Chamberlain. Penalty: Chamberlain.
- PRC Scoring:
- Bulls: 15 points after four games
- Ulster: 14 points after four games
- Connacht: 13 points after three games
- Munster: 13 points after four games
- Stormers: 10 points after three games
- Glasgow Warriors: 10 points after three games
- Leinster: 10 points after three games
- Ospreys: 10 points after three games
- Benetton: 10 points after three games
- Zebre: 9 points after four games
- Edinburgh: 8 points after three games
- Cardiff: 7 points after four games
- Scarlets: 5 points after three games
- Lions: 4 points after three games
- Dragons: 2 points after three games
- Sharks: 1 point after four games
