URC play-offs latest: Jake White’s Bulls were always too strong for the Sharks in Pretoria, and the only time the Sharks were in the contest was when playing 15 on 13.

The Bulls won 25-13, scoring three tries to one, but they had to combat referee Andrew Brace, more than a Springboks-laden Sharks outfit, who simply did not have the game plan or the fluency to topple the Bulls in URC semi-final.

The Sharks finished the regular season third in the league and the Bulls were second, but their form all season has been indifferent. Eight of their wins were within seven points and they needed a historic penalty kicking shootout to beat Munster in a home quarter-final. The match finished 24-all on 80 minutes and was still tied 24-all after 100 minutes.

The heroes of the penalty kick shootout, halfback brother pairing of Jaden and Jordan Hendrikse, could not replicate their goal kicking from in Pretoria, which was the biggest surprise of the night. (Jordan) Hendrikise, just a few weeks ago, was kicking at 90 percent in the URC, but his accuracy deserted him in Pretoria and he missed with several attempts at posts. When his brother Jaden took over the goalkicking, he also missed with his first attempt.

The Bulls, so strong at the start, must have upset Brace, who was intent to go to yellow cards early. Harold Voster saw yellow, then Cameron Hanekom and then veteran Marcell Coetzee. The latter two yellow cards were very debatable, but right then it seemed Brace had lost his cool with the Bulls.

Hanekom’s tackle on Sharks and Bok captain Siya Kolisi was made to look extreme because of a Sharks player trying to clean out Hanekom. Kolisi would take out Hanekom later in the match, which resulted in Hanekom’s knee being injured and the player’s match and possibly season being over.

Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus named a 54-strong Springboks squad on Thursday, which was a great motivation for the Bulls as so many of their players did not make the squad. Among them were scrum half Ambrose Papier, who was electric on the night and overshadowed Bok (Jaden) Hendrikse) and left winger Sebastian de Klerk, who was voted Player of the Match. De Klerk scored a ripper and set up Canan Moodie’s try.

Moodie was outstanding and could easily have joined De Klerk as the best on the night.

Bulls centre Dawid Kriel was also huge as the Bulls kept Andre ‘the Giant’ Esterhuizen under wraps.

KEO: BULLS TO WIN BY 5 (31-26)

Springboks tighthead Wilco Louw was also brutal in the scrum and comfortably won the most anticipated one-on-one match-up with Sharks and Boks loose-head prop Ox Nche. No tighthead in world rugby has managed to impose himself on Nche, but in Pretoria Louw did more than impose himself, he dominated a player who is considered the best loosehead prop in the sport.

HOW THE BULLS BATTERED THE SHARKS

Src: keo.co.za