The Bulls kicked off their 2010 Vodacom Super 14 title defence in perfect fashion following their 51-34 victory against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Friday evening.
Six tries were scored by the 2009 Champions including a penalty try awarded by referee Jonathan Kaplan. Flyhalf Morne Steyn, centres Jaco Pretorius and Wynand Olivier, fullback Zane Kirchner and winger Gerhard van den Heever all added five-pointers for the visitors. Steyn continued his sublime form with the boot and kicked five conversions and three penalties.
The Cheetahs ran in three tries thanks to efforts by captain Juan Smith and wingers Lionel Mapoe and Jongi Nokwe. However the hosts failed to press on in the final stages of the match to clinch a bonus point for scoring four tries. Flyhalf Naas Olivier converted two tries and kicked five penalties.
In Johannesburg, the Stormers secured their first away win of the Super 14 after they defeated the Lions 26-13 at Coca-Cola Park on Saturday.
Fullback Joe Pietersen added 21 points for the visitors by scoring a try and kicking four penalties and two conversions. Springbok centre Jaque Fourie was the other try-scorer for the Cape franchise.
Lions fullback Earl Rose kicked two penalties and converted the try scored by winger Micheal Killian.
The Sharks conceded their first home defeat of the season when Chiefs flyhalf Stephan Donald kicked a last-minute penalty to hand the tourists their first win (19-18) on their South African tour.
The lead had changed three times during the last four minutes of play after Jackson Willison dived over to score the only try of the match in the 76th minute of play. Stephan Donald converted the five-pointer to hand the visitors a 16-15 lead.
The Sharks were then awarded a penalty immediately after the restart when referee Keith Brown penalised the Chiefs for obstruction. Rory Kockott kicked his sixth penalty of the evening to hand the Sharks an 18-16 lead.
However, with second remaining in the match, Brown awarded the Chiefs a penalty when the hosts were penalised for off-side play. Donald added the penalty kick to secure the Chiefs a 19-18 win in Durban. - Sapa