Bulldogs lose their grip against Blue Bulls

The Vodacom Blue Bulls beat the Border Bulldogs 45-26 at Buffalo City Stadium in East London on Saturday in an entertaining Currie Cup-qualification match which produced nine high-class tries, seven to the visitors and two to the Bulldogs.

For the Bulldogs, after their good showing against Namibia nine days ago, this was not the result they would have wanted.

Border coach Elliot Fana, although disappointed by the result, praised his team for their fine effort.

“They put their bodies on the line, but I thought they took their foot off the pedal after 60 minutes and as you know, rugby is a game played over 80 minutes.”

“Soft moments cost us points,” said Fana.

“But we know exactly where we went wrong and I feel we have enhanced our performances.

“There’s been a huge improvement in the team but I feel the team can still improve.

“We’re playing a great brand of rugby and teams coming here are realising that games are no longer one-sided.”

Fana added that he thought Border tighthead prop Johannes Jonker, hooker Ludwe Booi and flank Billy Dutton, had all had outstanding games.

“They’re quality players,” he said. “Jonker is so professional; he’s an ace player, among the best props in the Currie Cup. I also rate Ludwe, while Billy reads the game so well and can play loose or tight.”

Saturday’s game was a game of contrasts with Border taking their shots at goal every time they were awarded a penalty, while the Blue Bulls took a lineout each time, often when thee points were virtually assured.

Border started like a house on fire when right wing Sipho Nolemele jinxed his way past a number of defenders, threw one or two dummies, and finally barged over in the left-hand corner after a run of about 40 metres.

Fullback Logan Basson added the two points with a brilliant kick from the touchline, which just had sufficient legs to go over.

However, both teams were guilty of errors.

There were a few intercepts, which led to tries, and on a number of occasions gaping holes in both defences were obvious.

For the Blue Bulls, flank Tapiwa Tsomondo had a storming game, scoring two tries, while fullback Divan Rossouw had an enterprising match, not being afraid to kick the ball into the box and follow up.

In fact, both fullbacks played well.

For the Bulldogs, Basson had his kicking boots on and succeeded with four penalties, one from 50m out smack in the middle of the field – a magnificent kick.

In addition he was impressive on attack throughout and finished with 16 points from the match.

The half-time score was 21-13 to the Blue Bulls and as they did in the first half, the home team scored early on in the second stanza when, in the opening minute, centre Michael Makase intercepted a wild pass and ran all of 70m to dive over under the posts for Basson to convert.

With one point in it Border were in with a sniff for victory, and even at 26-28 halfway through the stanza there was a chance, but it was not to be with the Blue Bulls taking charge thereafter with three more tries, one of which was converted by flyhalf Joshua Stander.

Ahead lie two tough matches for Border. They play Western Province at Newlands on Saturday and then host the Free State XV at home on July 23.

Scorers: Border Bulldogs 26: Tries to right wing Siphosenkosi Nofemele, centre Michael Makase; conversions: fullback Logan Basson (2); penalties: Basson (4).

Blue Bulls 45: Tries to centre Marquit September (2), wing Jade Stiglingh, flank Tapiwa Tsomondo (2), centre Franco Naude, wing Kefentse Mahlo; conversions: flyhalf Joshua Stander (5).