Lions v Bulls | A look at the numbers

The Jukskei Derby delivered once again as the Vodacom Bulls and Emirates Lions clashed in a high-intensity United Rugby Championship encounter. In a match defined by physical dominance and clinical execution, the Bulls managed to secure the bragging rights at Ellis Park. While it was a collective effort from the men in blue, the standout performance came from Harold Vorster, who was named Man of the Match for his influential role in both attack and defense.

Points
The scoring was spearheaded by Handre Pollard, whose experience at fly-half proved vital in navigating the scoreboard. He was closely supported by Johan Grobbelaar and Marcell Coetzee, both of whom managed to cross the whitewash to contribute significant five-pointers to the winning tally.

Metres Gained
When it came to chewing up turf, Devon Williams led the charge from the back, using his pace to put the Bulls on the front foot. Stravino Jacobs and Kurt-Lee Arendse were equally dangerous out wide, consistently eating up ground and forcing the Lions’ scramble defense into high gear.

Carries
The hard yards in the tight exchanges were dominated by Elrigh Louw, who repeatedly charged into the heart of the Lions' defense. Jeandre Rudolph and Marcell Coetzee provided the necessary muscle alongside him, ensuring the Bulls maintained momentum through multiple phases of play.

Defenders Beaten
Finding gaps and breaking through contact was a specialty for Kurt-Lee Arendse, who left multiple defenders clutching at air. Harold Vorster and Stedman Gans also showed great footwork in the midfield, successfully navigating their way past the initial Lions line to keep the attack moving.

Clean Breaks
In terms of pure line-breaking ability, Stravino Jacobs was the standout, slicing through the opposition on several occasions. Devon Williams and Embrose Papier also capitalized on quick ball to puncture the defense, creating immediate try-scoring opportunities.

Tackles
On the defensive side of the ball, Reinhardt Ludwig was a constant presence, leading the tackle count with a high work rate. He was well-supported by the defensive grit of Ruan Vermaak and Wilco Louw, who ensured the Lions found very little room to breathe in the close-quarter exchanges.