The Bulls were forced to work hard for a 38-32 victory over a spirited Lions side in their pre-season clash at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.
The Bulls seized the early momentum by scoring three unanswered tries, but the Lions showed plenty of character to fight back and score three tries of their own to push the Pretoria franchise all the way.
Young Bulls centre Jan Serfontein had an impressive outing, and he scored the opening try of the match in the first minute, before five-pointers from Jurgen Visser and Grant Hattingh put the Bulls in complete control.
The Lions refused to roll over, and managed to score two long-range tries from breaks inside their own half to reduce the defecit to 22-17 at half-time.
The Lions then managed to take the lead in the second half when a superb dummy and step saw speedy wing Anthony Volmink go under the poles, giving the Lions hope of a narrow victory.
A second try from Jurgen Visser put the Bulls back in control, but the Lions managed a late consolation of their own when Kriel crossed for his second.
More to follow...
The scorers:
For the Lions:
Tries: Mostert, Kriel 2, Volmink
Cons: Boshoff 3
Pen: Boshoff
DG: Boshoff
For the Bulls:
Tries: Serfontein, Visser 2, Hattingh
Cons: Schoeman 2, Pollard
Pens: Schoeman 3, Pollard
The teams:
Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Deon Helberg, 13 Nicolaas Hanekom, 12 Alwyn Hollenbach, 11 Anthony Volmink, 10 Marnitz Boshoff, 9 Michael Bondesio, 8 Willie Britz, 7 Derick Minnie, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Hendrik Roodt, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Francois du Toit, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg (captain).
Replacements: 16 Robbie Coetzee, 17 Jacques van Rooyen, 18 JJ Breet, 19 Warwick Tecklenberg, 20 Ross Cronje, 21 Lionel Cronje, 22 Ruhan Nel.
Bulls: 15 Jürgen Visser, 14 Travis Ismaiel, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Jan Serfontein, 11 Sampie Mastriet, 10 Tian Schoeman, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Arno Botha, 7 Jean Cook, 6 Deon Stegmann (captain), 5 Grant Hattingh, 4 Paul Willemse, 3 Frik Kirsten, 2 Willie Wepener, 1 Juan Schoeman.
Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Hencus van Wyk, 18 Wiaan Liebenberg, 19 Cornell Hess, 20 Ruan Snyman, 21 Handré Pollard, 22 Ulrich Beyers, 23 Jacques du Plessis.
Referee: Sindile Mayende
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