Bulls honour legend with gutsy fightback

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The Vodacom Bulls paid tribute to Pedrie Wannenburg with a resounding come-from-behind win over Benetton in Pretoria on Saturday afternoon.

The hosts outscored the visitors six tries to two at Loftus Versfeld, where a moment’s silence preceded kick-off for the ex-Springbok and Bulls legend, who died in a car crash in the USA.

Trailing 16-12 at half time, the hosts saw Benetton extend their lead after the break when Rhyno Smith slotted a penalty, only for Chris Smith to reply. 

The Bulls went in front for the first time after Kurt-Lee Arendse snatched up a loose pass and bolted 60 metres into the endzone. Smith added the extras.

Marcell Coetzee crashed over for the bonus-point try, and Smith successfully converted, yet another Rhyno Smith penalty pulled Benetton back to within a converted score.

Chris Smith’s trusty boot kept the Bulls in front, and the visitors were down to 14 men as Lorenzo Cannone was given a red card for dangerous play.

Canan Moodie capped another breakaway score, before Tommaso Menoncello registered his second try of the afternoon, but the Bulls had the last say when Simphiwe Matanzima completed the rout for a 46-29 victory in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship.

Rhyno Smith split the uprights in the sixth minute, before making it 10-0 after Menoncello chased down his hack forward.

Smith again added to the Italians’ tally, but the hosts closed the gap when Cyle Brink finished off an impressive team effort.

After a clash between Elrigh Louw, taken off for blood, and Corniel Els, the latter was stretchered off after receiving medical attention on the field.

Rhyno Smith added another three points from the kicking tee to restore Benetton’s lead to 13 points, but Arendse dotted down – and Chris Smith converted – before the interval.

ALSO READ: Heyneke: Everybody loved Pedrie

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Devin Hermanus