Rugby
Sharks and Stormers stumble, Bulls win─── MORGAN PIEK 10:35 Sun, 13 Oct 2024
It was another tough weekend for the Sharks and the Stormers in the United Rugby Championship with defeats to Benetton and Edinburg respectively, while over in Wales the Bulls, the 2023/24 runners-up, secured their third win on the bounce.
In Treviso, the Italian outfit, Benetton secured a convincing 38-1 win against the Currie Cup champions, the Sharks. The former Toyota Cheetahs outside back, Rhyno Smith, scored a brace of tries for Benetton as they ensured a bonus point win.
Paolo Odogwu, Ignacio Mendy and Leonardo Marin all dotted down for the Italians as well, while Jacob Umaga converted all five tries and slotted a conversion.
The Springbok prop, Ntuthuko Mchunu, scored for the team from Durban, while Lionel Cronjé landed the conversion and Siya Masuku added three to the score with a penalty.
Leolin Zas. Photo: Stormers
Over in the Scottish capital city, matters weren’t any easier for the Stormers who were beaten 38-7 by Edinburgh, for the first win over a South African team this season.
Ben Muncaster scored a brace for the Scots while Patrick Harrison, Darcy Graham and Grant Gilchrist all crossed the whitewash as well. Ross Thompson was on song with the boot with five conversions and a penalty.
‘It was a lot better for Jake White’s Bulls who collected a bonus point’
The former Blitzboks star Ruhan Nel scored for the former champions in the first half, while Damian Willemse added the extra two with the boot.
Over in Swansea, it was a lot better for Jake White’s Bulls who collected a bonus point with a 29-19 win against the Ospreys.
The Springbok winger, Kurt-Lee Arende, scored a brace for the team from the capital city, while two other Springboks Embrose Papier and Elrigh Louw also scored five-pointers. All of the Bulls’ tries were scored in the first half.
Embrose Papier. Photo: Bulls
Boeta Chamberlain converted three of the Bulls’ tries while he landed a late penalty.
On the side of the Ospreys, Dewi Lake dotted down in the first stanza, while Ryan Conbeer and Morgan Morris scored in the second half. Jack Walsh and Dan Edwards each converted a try in the second half for the Welsh.
The Lions in turn will seek to secure a third straight win when they face the Dragons in Newport on Sunday afternoon. This match at Rodney Parade will kick off at 15:30.
The Springboks – Jean Kleyn (Munster) and RG Snyman (Leinster). Photo: URC
In the weekend’s other results, Franco Smith’s Glasgow Warriors thumped Zebre 33-3 at the Scotstoun Stadium, while the Scarlets beat Cardiff 25-19 in a tense Welsh derby.
Leinster were too good for Munster with a 26-12 win against Munster in an Irish derby which attracted more than 80,000 spectators to Croke Park.
At Ravenhill in Belfast, Ulster beat Connacht 32-27.
