Bulls overcome Waratahs to go top of South African Conference

Bulls 28-21 Waratahs, Loftus Versfeld
Scorecard

Bulls managed to hold off Waratahs as they completed a 28-21 win in their Super Rugby clash at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

The win means Bulls now hold the top place in the South African Conference with 28 points while Waratahs with their sixth defeat are at fourth place in the Australian Group.

Handre Pollard kick-started the proceedings with an eighth-minute penalty kick before Warrick Gelant dotted down a minute later for the opening try of the game. The Bulls fly-half also landed on the conversion to make the scoreline 10-0.

Waratahs fought back immediately and their response came through Nick Phipps with a touchdown in the 12th minute that was improved by Bernard Foley that reduced the gap between the two teams to three points.

Nevertheless, the home side had the momentum heading into the break when Duane Vermeulen intercepted a pass to go over the line in the 18th minute. Pollard missed out on the conversion but kicked a penalty goal as the teams finished the first half with a 18-7 scoreline.

Pollard with his three-pointer stretched Bulls to 14 points at the start of the second half but the Australian side fought back with back to back tries from Kurtley Beale (51') and Curtis Ronal (66') and Bernard Foley kicked the conversions on both the occasions.

However, the decisive moment came when Simphiwe Matanzima crossed over with 10 minutes left in the game and Pollard converted it to complete a 28-21 victory. for Bulls.