Young flyhalf Manie Libbok scored a crucial 75th-minute try to help salvage a 22-22 draw for the Blue Bulls in Friday's Super Rugby clash against the Blues in Auckland.
The Pretoria-based side had come into this clash without the services of Handre Pollard and Duane Vermeulen, which added to the pressure after last weekend's disappointing defeat against the Brumbies.
As this clash crept into the final quarter, it looked as if the Bulls may suffer a second successive loss overseas, after Akira Ioane powered over the tryline to claim a crucial try with 15 minutes left to play.
#BLUvBUL FT! Blues 22-22 Vodacom Bulls. #BullsFamily
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) May 31, 2019
Up to then, the momentum had swayed one way and the next in an error-filled encounter, but it was the Blues who took a two-point lead into the break, before a try to Scott Scrafton opened up a tenuous seven-point buffer.
Not long after, though, the Bulls responded with a superb try to Cornal Hendricks, who kicked and chased, regathered the ball and dived over to draw the scores level.
CAPTAIN: Burger Odendaal captain the Bulls for the first time this season against the Blues this weekend. Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
That ramped up the ante going into the final stages of the encounter, before Ioane and Libbok traded tries. The drama was far from over, though, with Harry Plummer missing a last-minute penalty as both sides ultimately had to settle for a draw.
Although it's far from an ideal result for the Bulls, the two log points gained does ensure that they remain in the running for South African conference honours, with the Jaguares having recently emerged as the frontrunners to claim the top spot in the local standings.
The Bulls will face one more tour match against the Highlanders, before one final pool game against the Lions.
Scorers:
Blues 22 (10):
Tries:
Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Scott Scrafton, Akria Ioane.
Conversions:
Harry Plummer (2).
Penalty:
Plummer.
Bulls 22 (8):
Tries:
Cornal Hendricks, Hanro Liebenberg, Manie Libbok.
Conversions:
Libbok (2).
Penalty:
Libbok.
African News Agency