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Bulls make it 3 from 5 for SA's European debutants
By PA
The Bulls were left clinging on for victory as they survived a Lyon fightback to begin their maiden Heineken Champions Cup campaign with a thrilling 42-36 win in Pretoria.
Jake White’s men were 28-0 up by the 25th minute, with Sibongile Novuka, Bernard van der Linde (two) and Nizaam Carr going over and Morne Steyn converting all four tries.
However, last season’s Challenge Cup winners came roaring back to trail 35-29 and then 42-36, which proved to be the final score.
Arno Botha crossed twice for the French club, while Liam Coltman, Ethan Dumortier and Kyle Godwin also touched down, with Leo Berdeu kicking 11 points.
Tries from Stravino Jacobs and Chris Smith had helped keep the Bulls’ noses in front and ultimately proved enough to earn the United Rugby Championship outfit a winning start, despite some intense late pressure from Lyon.
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Latest Comments
Cannot wait, will be Allblacks much improved against a team that's still firing. Allblacks by a whisker.
Go to commentsI guess the other option would be to start ALB, he's looked good in the 12 so far when he starts and sets up those outside him. But that would mean putting the vice captain on the bench, which is unlikely. Another option would be to drop Reiko to the bench and play Proctor, though he's gone home so that's not going to happen either.
Both of those players just offer more of the soft distribution skills good centres learn from playing their careers there. Unfortunately that's what's lacking with the current combo.
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