Bulls beat Lions 57-15 in nine-try derby win

The Bulls beat the Lions 57-15 in their United Rugby Championship derby at Loftus Versfeld, responding to a defeat by Munster with a nine-try performance that ended the Lions’ unbeaten start to the season. Cameron Hanekom scored twice as the Pretoria side built a 31-10 halftime lead and maintained its control after the break. The Lions opened the scoring through Siba Qoma after Harold Vorster had put the Bulls ahead. Johan Grobbelaar then crossed for the hosts, and a yellow card to Lions scrumhalf Morne van den Berg gave the Bulls a numerical advantage. Hanekom scored twice during that period, and Jeandré Rudolph added a try before halftime. Canan Moodie scored soon after the restart. The Lions replied through Morne Brandon, but further Bulls tries by JF van Heerden, Cheswill Jooste and Sebastian de Klerk completed the 57-15 result. The Bulls’ nine tries came from eight different players, with Hanekom the only player to score twice. Bulls coach Johan Ackermann said his team showed maturity in responding to the loss to Munster and praised the returning Springboks for adapting quickly despite limited preparation time. His comments were made after the match.