Bloemfontein – Following a victory against the Sharks last weekend, Springbok flyhalf Handre Pollard spearheaded the Bulls to their second Super Rugby win this season, beating the Cheetahs 39-20 in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
The Cheetahs started well, with flyhalf Joe Pietersen slotting a penalty goal in the fourth minute as the Bulls flanker Deon Stegmann got pinned for hands in the ruck. Their joy was shortlived as winger Raymond Rhule was sin-binned shortly afterwards for taking out Bulls fullback Jesse Kriel in the air.
Pollard, who scored 29 points on the day, levelled the scores with a penalty in the 12th minute and scored the first try of the match which he converted.
He kicked another penalty to add to the Cheetahs woes, before Pietersen also got a shot at the posts, which he used to narrow the gap to 13-6.
Bulls winger Bjorn Basson scored a try shortly before half time, which Pollard converted and, after slotting another penalty, the visitors went into the break with a 23-6 lead.
The Cheetahs started the second half strongly and, only three minutes in, Rhule made amends for his yellow card by scoring a much-needed try for the hosts, which Pietersen converted.
Pollard stretched the gap again kicking a penalty in the 55th minute, but a good driving maul in the 60th minute led to a try for flanker Boom Prinsloo to bring the Cheetahs within striking distance.
Pietersen's successful conversion meant the hosts trailed by only six points with 20 minutes to play.
But Pollard slotted another penalty and drop goal and when Bulls centre Jan Serfontein broke through for his try in the 71st minute, which the superb Pollard converted, the Bulls could not be denied an emphatic win.
Points scorers: Bulls 39 (23): Tries: Handre Pollard, Bjorn Basson, Jan Serfontein. Conversions: Pollard (3). Penalties:
Pollard (5). Drop Goal: Pollard.
Cheetahs 20 (6): Tries: Raymond Rhule, Boom Prinsloo. Conversions: Joe Pietersen (2). Penalties: Pietersen (2). – Sapa