Live updates from Loftus as the Bulls take on the Highlanders.

Not a large crowd at Loftus for this game, I’m hoping for a large score and to make up for the pain of watching the Lions and Sharks! This is a poor Highlanders side so we really do need to win well.

Victor Matfield leads the Bulls for the 50th time. Well done skipper!
Matfield joins Corne Krige (52) and John Smit with (50)

2nd Min – Not a great start yet again by the Bulls. Kick offs seem to be a problem.

6th Min – Brilliant! Gary Botha scores the try. A 55m effort afte Morne Steyn spotted space and went through half a dozen hands. Superb.
Morne Steyn converts to make it 7-0. Great start.

8th Min – Try time. Francois Hougaard scores. All too easy after Pierre Spies took the kick-off and showed great acceleration. Morne Steyn ran well into space, and Hougaard simply finished off a great movement.
Steyn converts to make it 14-0.

12th Min – Try of the season!!! Gerhard van den Heever!!! Pace. That was a 90m effort, after Danie Rousouw gave him the ball on the wing. He cut in beautifully and did an inside to outside swerve.
Morne Steyn from the right hand touch this time kicks it down the middle.
21-0!

It has to be noted, 2 lineout steals for the Bulls. Rousouw and Matfield.
Already 10 missed tackles from the Highlanders.

17th Min – Sloppy work from the Bulls. A dropped ball and Israel Dagg sprints 70m to score. 21-5.
Danie Rousouw is off with an ice pack on his knee area. Important for the Bulls to retain focus and intensity for the full 80.
Berquist kicks the conversion to make it 21-7.

24th Min – Bonus point. That’s more like it!
Zane Kirchner, great up and under, good chase and created the space when he tapped the ball back. Wynand Olivier finishes off in the left corner.
That’s the value of Kirchner’s positional play which is under-rated, and he chases and contests his kicks so well.
Morne Steyn misses from the sideline. Oh well.
Bulls lead 26-7

Morne Steyn counter-rucking. I love it! This guy is superb. Earns a penalty as Setephano reacts and retaliates.

Now Gary Botha is putting in the tactical grubber.

29th Min – Pierre Spies try. Just great team work. Van den Heever caught the ball well. A good up and under, regather off the Highlanders mistake and Spies on hand.
Morne has an easy conversion in front. Bulls lead 33-7. Let’s hope we can get 80+.

38th Min – I think Gurthro Steenkamp has pulled his hamstring slightly. He comes off and 20 year old Rousouw de Klerk comes on. A product of Paarl gym.
Israel Dagg scores an easy try from a scrum move. Poor Bulls defence. Coach Ludeke won’t be happy.
With the conversion the score is 33-14.

40th Min – A penalty to the Bulls. Morne Steyn to take the kick at goal. A good move I feel.
Morne Steyn makes no mistake to make it 36-14.

Half-time Bulls 36 Highlanders 14

A good first half from the Bulls. The 2 defensive lapses are a concern, but when you’ve scored 5 tries it’s hard to maintain the focus. It’s almost too easy at times.

Hopefully the altitude takes effect, although with nothing to lose the Highlanders are sure to throw it around in the second half. Important for the Bulls to put this side away and win well.

46th Min – A scrappy start to the second half by both sides.

49th Min – Sustained pressure on the Bulls line. Highlanders get a penalty.

51st Min  – Good Bulls defence. It’s all about attitude, and that was great intensity.

53rd Min – Morne Steyn and Derick Kuun off for blood. They may not return. Dewald Potgieter also subbed.

54th Min – Try to the Highlanders. Creating space on the left flank. This game is not over by end stretch of the imagination. It’s 5 tries to 3. Bulls have to step up again.
Berquist converts to make it 36-21.

59th Min – Hougaard gets number two after a 5m lineout. That’s better.
Morne Steyn is back on and converts to make it 43-21.

70th Min – Try to the Highlanders. Bonus point.
The Bulls have gone to sleep and lost all intensity and accuracy.
Dagg kicks the conversion so the score is 43-28.

75th Min – Spies scores off the back of a 5m scrum. Too easy for the big man!
Morne converts to bring up 50.
Bulls lead 50-28.

78th Min – Israel Dagg gts his third try. He converts to make it 50-35.

Full-Time Bulls 50 Highlanders 35

The Bulls started off well and took their foot off the gas once the vicory was set-up. Plenty to work on and next week is crunch time. Need to win one last home game before going away on tour.

Still 14 games unbeaten at home is a great record…so far!