Six of the best for Bulls
The Bulls chalked up a sixth successive victory as they saw off South African rivals the Stormers 19-16 at Newlands.
Last Updated: 11/06/11 8:25pm
A try from Francois Hougaard helped the Bulls chalk up a sixth successive victory as they saw off the Stormers 19-16 at Newlands.
The scrum-half crossed in the 65th minute to help the reigning champions surge into a 16-6 lead after there had been little between the two sides.
Andries Bekker did barge his way over in the closing stages for the Stormers, the reigning South African Conference leaders, to set up a rousing finish.
They amazingly looked set to win it at the death but winger Bryan Habana was brilliantly tackled by opposing winger Bjorn Basson, meaning the Bulls held on for a win that lifts them to fifth in the overall standings.
Morne Steyn kicking was the key factor in a sloppy contest; the fly-half slotted over four penalties, as well as the conversion of Hougaard's try.
Missed chances
He kicked his side ahead after only seven minutes but then failed with a chance to make it 6-0 straight after - it was one of two penalty misses by Steyn in the first half.
However Kurt Coleman also missed two kicks himself, meaning the Stormers trailed 6-3 at the end of the first half, with Steyn nailing his second penalty seconds before the break.
Coleman couldn't convert another penalty earlier in the second half, leading to him making way for Dewaldt Duvenage.
The replacement quickly made a mark on the game with a penalty after 51 minutes that tied the scores.
Steyn, though, kicked the Bulls back in front and they then broke clear for their only try in the 65th minute, with Hougaard racing away from a line-out.
The conversion opened up a 10-point gap and although Duvenage hit back with another penalty for the Stormers, Steyn restored the double-digit cushion when he slotted over three more points with five minutes remaining.
To their credit the Stormers refused to give up, a glimmer of hope arriving in the 79th minute when Bekker touched down for a try that was also converted.
They continued to push right hard for a winning score but their final attack failed in midfield, meaning the Bulls clung on for a vital result.
