Willie le Roux sparks Bulls to crunch Jukskei derby win

01/25/2025 10:20 AM

MATCH REPORT: The introduction of Willie le Roux saw the Bulls come from behind to secure a vital 35-22 win over the Lions in a United Rugby Championship crunch match at Ellis Park on Saturday.

Trailing 13-17, Le Roux was introduced in the 50th minute in place of an erratic Henry Chamberlain.

The visitors scored three in a 10-minute blitz to take control of a game that had the potential to go pear-shaped.

This Trans-Jukskei derby win ensured the Bulls cemented their place in the top three on the standings and with a game in hand.

The main concern for the Bulls are the injuries of captain Ruan Nortje and flank Elrich Louw (both knee injuries).

For the Lions, a loss at home, means they are now almost certainly out of the play-off running - sitting well outside the top 10.

* To recap all the drama, CLICK HERE!

* The article follows below ....

It was a nervous start, with both teams guilty of some early errors.

The Bulls were dealt a cruel blow in the fifth minute, captain Ruan Nortje limping off with a knee injury.

A scrum penalty in the 10th minute allowed flyhalf Henry Chamberlain to open the scoring.

With 15 minutes on the clock, Chamberlain delivered a sublime kick downfield, collected by Sergeal Petersen, who offloaded to David Kriel for the first try. Chamberlain added the conversion - 10-0.

A breakdown penalty allowed flyhalf Sam Francis to open the Lions' account - 3-10 after 19 minutes.

Chamberlain, after another breakdown penalty, pushed his kick wide of the uprights.

Just short of the half-hour mark, Francis close the gap to four points (6.10) after yet another tackle penalty.

At the same time, No.8 Cameron Hanekom left the field for a head injury assessment. However, he returned in the second half.

In the 34th minute centre Henco van got the Lions' first try, after collecting a sublime kick ahead. Francis was wide of the mark with the conversion attempt - 11-10.

On the stroke of half-time, Francis pushed a penalty attempt wide - leaving it a one-point (11-10) at the break.

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It went from bad to worse for the Bulls, when flank Elrich Louw left the field with what appeared to be a serious knee injury early in the second half.

In the 47th minute, Francis landed a penalty to stretch the lead to four points - 14-10.

Chamberlain claimed back the three points (13-14) in the 50th minute, but Francis added three of his own (17-13) two minutes later.
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The Bulls replied with a try by lock Cobus Wiese, after a series of raids that saw replacement Willie le Roux being prominent. David Kriel took over the kicking and added the extra two - 20-17.

Just short of the hour mark, David Kriel stretched the lead to six points (23-17).

The Lions replied with a try by lock Etienne Oosthuizen, after a maul and several forward charges. Francis hooked his conversion attempt - 22-23 after 63 minutes.

Flank Marcell Coetzee got the Bulls' third try, as their forwards started taking charge of proceedings with several forward raids. David Kriel was off target - 28-22.

That was followed by a maul try, Armand van der Merwe getting the armchair ride. David Kriel added the conversion - 35-22 after 71 minutes.

With two minutes remaining David Kriel, from over 50 metres out, pushed a penalty attempt wide - leaving the final score 35-22..

The scorers

For the Lions
Tries: Van Wyk, Oosthuizen
Pens: Francis 4

For the Bulls
Tries: D Kriel. Wiese, Coetzee, Van der Merwe
Cons: Chamberlain, D Kriel 2
Pens: Chamberlain 2, D Kriel

Teams

Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Richard Kriel, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Rynhardt Jonker, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Sam Francis, 9 Morné van den Berg, 8 Franke Horn (captain), 7 Ruan Venter, 6 JC Pretorius, 5 Ruan Delport, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 PJ Botha, 1 Juan Schoeman.
Replacements: 16 Jaco Visagie, 17 SJ Kotze, 18 RF Schoeman, 19 Raynard Roets, 20 WJ Steenkamp, 21 Nico Steyn, 22 Gianni Lombard, 23 Manuel Rass.

Bulls: 15 Devon Williams, 14 Sebastian de Klerk, 13 David Kriel, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Sergeal Petersen, 10 Henry Chamberlain, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Elrich Louw, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Ruan Nortje (captain), 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Replacements: 16 Armand van der Merwe, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Reinhardt Ludwig, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Keagan Johannes, 22 Canan Moodie, 23 Willie le Roux.

Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Griffin Colby (South Africa), JD Jadezweni (South Africa)
TMO: Quinton Immelman (South Africa)

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