Griquas run in eight tries to crush Bulls and claim first Currie Cup win

Griquas lit up Kimberley with a ruthless attacking display as they crushed the Bulls 56-26 to register their first win of the Currie Cup campaign and condemn the defending champions to a second straight defeat.

The hosts ran in eight tries in a dominant performance that saw both scrumhalf Bobby Alexander and wing Gurswin Wehr complete hat-tricks, while fly-half George Whitehead kicked all eight conversions for a perfect night from the tee.

By contrast, the Bulls – who opened the scoring inside three minutes – were overpowered up front, repeatedly exposed in defence and left with only a four-try bonus point as consolation after back-to-back losses to start their title defence.

Bulls strike first before Griquas seize control

The visitors made an ideal start when a lineout maul in the third minute was stopped short but the ball was quickly shifted wide, allowing centre P.A. van Niekerk to power over for an unconverted try and a 5-0 lead.

The Bulls continued to enjoy early territory and possession, but Griquas hit back from a cleverly worked lineout move near halfway. After breaking into the Bulls’ half and spreading the ball across the backline, Alexander finished out wide for a converted try that put the home side 7-5 ahead in the 12th minute.

Griquas struck again almost immediately from the restart with one of the tries of the match. Running from deep, they freed Cameron Hufke down the left touchline. The full-back appeared to pull a hamstring as he accelerated clear but managed to nudge a grubber ahead, with Wehr winning the race to touch down. Whitehead’s conversion stretched the advantage to 14-5.

Some individual brilliance from the Bulls briefly narrowed the gap. Scrumhalf Brooklyn Newman chipped ahead from the base of a ruck and wing Hakeem Kunene showed his pace to gather and score, with the conversion cutting the deficit to 14-12 after 22 minutes.

Forward dominance and Alexander double tilt first half

Any momentum the Bulls had built was quickly checked by more sharp Griquas attacking. Replacement back Connor Mahoney sliced through a disorganised defence from long range before releasing Alexander on his outside. The scrumhalf outpaced the cover to claim his second try, converted by Whitehead for a 21-12 lead.

Griquas’ forwards then underlined their superiority. Having already secured tighthead ball at scrum time and repeatedly troubling the Bulls at the set-piece, they launched a powerful maul from a lineout with three minutes left in the half. Although the initial drive was halted just short, prop Ig Prinsloo burrowed over from the ensuing ruck, Whitehead again adding the extras for 28-12.

The Bulls responded on the stroke of half-time. Sustained pressure inside the Griquas 22, built over 15 phases after a penalty, eventually created space for full-back Devon Williams to step his way over on the left. The conversion brought the visitors back to 28-19 at the interval, offering a glimmer of hope.

Griquas pull away after the break

Any chance of a Bulls comeback was quickly extinguished early in the second half. A penalty to Griquas allowed them to play at tempo, and flanker Lourens Oosthuizen crashed over from a quick tap. Whitehead’s conversion pushed the scoreline out to 35-19.

With their pack now in complete control and the Bulls struggling to exit their own half, Griquas continued to attack with confidence and accuracy. More slick handling and ambitious running opened the defence once again for Alexander, who completed his hat-trick around the 50-minute mark. Wehr was heavily involved in the build-up, and Whitehead’s eighth successful kick made it 42-19.

The Bulls briefly hit back when wing Riyaad Bam found space to sprint clear for a converted try, reducing the arrears to 42-26 with just over 10 minutes to play.

Wehr completes hat-trick as Bulls unravel

Any late resistance from the Pretoria side quickly faded. With Griquas dominant at the breakdown and in contact, the hosts resumed their onslaught as Wehr crossed for his second try following another flowing attack, the conversion restoring a 23-point cushion at 49-26.

In the closing minutes, the Bulls attempted to run the ball from inside their own 22, only to see Wehr read the play and intercept a pass to race in for his third try of the afternoon. Whitehead’s final conversion sealed a comprehensive 56-26 victory.

The result leaves Griquas off the mark in this season’s Currie Cup, while the Bulls – champions last term – face early pressure after opening their campaign with two defeats from two.

Scorers

Griquas 56 (28) Tries: Bobby Alexander (3), Gurswin Wehr (3), Ig Prinsloo, Lourens Oosthuizen Conversions: George Whitehead (8)

Bulls 26 (19) Tries: P.A. van Niekerk, Hakeem Kunene, Devon Williams, Riyaad Bam Conversions: Keagan Johannes (2), Viaan Mentoor