Flyhalf, Handre Pollard kicked 20 points as the Bulls inflicted back-to-back defeats on the Lions with a 30-12 win at Ellis Park.
The Lions, finalists in the last three Super Rugby seasons, continued their poor start to the campaign with a first home defeat by South African opposition in four years, as they were outplayed by the more physical and clinical Bulls.
Number eight Duane Vermeulen and fullback Warrick Gelant crossed for tries for the visitors, with Pollard’s boot providing a healthy lead for the final hour of the contest.
The Lions also scored two tries through props Carlu Sadie and Dylan Smith, but their ineffective backline failed again, with all their seven tries this season coming from forwards.
“It’s great for us as a team, I thought the boys stepped up today,” Pollard said.
LINE BREAK: Rosko Specman. PHOTO: GAVIN BARKER/BACKPAGEPIX.
“It was a good day for me off the tee, but the team forced those opportunities with pressure so credit to them. It was a good game of rugby, we tackled well and did the basics right.”
Pollard kicked the Bulls in front with two penalties, before the visitors grabbed the opening try.
Rosko Specman made the initial break and Vermeulen barged over the line.
Pollard kicked another penalty to hand the Bulls a 14-0 halftime lead, which was extended further with another three points early in the second period, before the Lions finally got on the board.
But the Bulls win was sealed when Gelant was played into space out wide and his pace took him over for a try in the corner.
African News Agency