Superior Bulls comfortably keep wayward Lions at bay as title defence remains strong

The Bulls once again managed to get their blend of youth and experience right as they kept the defence of their Currie Cup title on track with a comfortable 40-10 win over the embattled Lions at Ellis Park on Wednesday night.

While no one could quibble over the visitors' superior firepower and the collection of a bonus point, this wasn't exactly a vintage performance from Gert Smal's charges.

That could be explained by the fact that the former Springbok assistant coach picked his most raw and inexperienced combination of the campaign to date, particularly in the pack.

Yet it was also a thoroughly justified strategy given that the Lions - who've been unable to bolster their ranks with an abundance of URC stars because of injuries - were unlikely to select a battle hardened group anyway.

Lacking a bit of rhythm initially, the Bulls were put under pressure in the first 25 minutes by an enthusiastic home team, who regularly played with intensity and initiative but lacked some basic handling skills and patience to really make inroads.

They were also frustrated by a Bulls defence that scrambled well and exploited some pitiful competition from the hosts at the breakdown, who were more intent on just shielding the carrier instead of keeping opposition scavengers at bay. 

Once the Bulls though gained a foothold through Lions lock Lunga Ncube's needless yellow card for deliberate obstruction, it was one-way traffic in general.

The visitors first score came from a penalty try after they demolished a compromised home pack at an attacking scrum, before replacement back James Verity-Amm rounded off a swift counter-attack from a feeble Lions kick forward.

The evergreen Morne Steyn was on hand to make the game safe after centre Stedman Gans'