Following the Bulls’ 37-22 win over the Lions in the United Rugby Championship (URC), here are our winners and losers from the game at Ellis Park on Saturday.

Winners

Marcell Coetzee

Toiled away all afternoon and was proof that good things come to those who wait. Coetzee crossed for a well-deserved try that proved pivotal in the outcome of the game. While the Bulls‘ other two starting back-rowers departed early on – one did return in the second period – Coetzee was a rock all game in the away victory.

JC Pretorius

Another flank who starred at Emirates Airline Park was the blonde-haired Lions back-row, who was a nuisance to the Bulls at the breakdown on at least three occasions. A busy player unfortunate to end up on the losing side as Pretorius did everything in his power to upset the Bulls rhythm but in the end their power told.

David Kriel

Impressed in midfield alongside milestone man Harold Vorster as Kriel ended with a try, three conversions and a penalty goal in an assured performance at 13. A showing that will no doubt have impressed Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus as he got the better of another solid performer on the day, Henco van Wyk.

Willie le Roux

There is life in the old dog yet. Le Roux might be getting on in years but he is still a master of his craft and played a key role in the Bulls’ late charge to victory. The 35-year-old came on as a replacement at fly-half on 50 minutes and steered his team to the bonus-point. His timing and option taking was exemplary.

Sergeal Petersen

Perhaps didn’t get the credit he deserved during the game but the 30-year-old former Stormers flyer was tireless on the wing with a match-high six carries and three clean breaks to his name. Petersen hasn’t played a great deal for the Bulls this season but he’s certainly come to Jake White’s rescue with this effort.

Losers

Ruan Nortje

It was a nightmare start to the United Rugby Championship derby for the Bulls and the sight of captain Nortje down clutching his knee was a disaster. His exit on five minutes was a sad sight for player, the Bulls and the Springboks and one hopes that this injury is not as serious as it looked and we see him back soon.

Elrigh Louw

Injury concerns were compounded in the second period when flanker Louw departed in a similar fashion although he had to be carted off the pitch by the medical field. The Springbok flanker had the full weight of a Lions player fall on his knee and it does not look good for the hugely promising star. We wish him well too.

Edwill van der Merwe

The Lions needed some X-factor if they were to defeat this Bulls side and unfortunately the Bok was largely quiet in the game as he struggled to make an impact. Van der Merwe was starved of ball and while the likes of Petersen stamped his game on proceedings, the former couldn’t do likewise in a disappointing showing.

READ MORE: ‘Entitled a******e’ Rassie Erasmus: ‘I would never pick that version of myself for the Boks’

Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/lions-v-bulls-winners-and-losers-willie-le-roux-plays-key-role-off-bench-but-springboks-duo-suffer-concerning-injuries