White's Bulls get statement bonus-point win over Sharks in Powell's Loftus baptism

The person in the top coaching position at the Sharks might have changed from Sean Everitt to Neil Powell but some things remain the same: the Bulls dominate the Durbanites at Loftus.

That fact was emphasised on Sharks director of rugby Powell’s first foray into Pretoria against his direct job title rival – the two directors of rugby facing off – Jake White, whose home team triumphed 40-27.

In the end, the name on the office door mattered little; the Bulls, like they did when they ousted the Sharks from last season’s United Rugby Championship (URC), did a job on the Sharks again on Sunday.

AS IT HAPPENED | URC: Bulls vs Sharks

But the score line was far more emphatic, with the Bulls scoring four tries for a bonus point win.

The first sweet attacking move of the match came in the 11th minute from the Bulls running it on the left, leading to wing Sbu Nkosi linking with outside centre Cornal Hendricks, who spilt the ball just over 5m out.

The Sharks lacked an identifiable attacking game plan. They resorted far too often to ineffectual high kicks or balls in behind the defence that posed little threat in the opening quarter.

Meanwhile, the Bulls threatened again, this time getting over the try line on the right but the score was disallowed after Chris Smith’s final pass to Johan Goosen went forward.

A hard watch of a half, full of attrition and scrappy play, finished with the most eye-pleasing try you’ll see this year.

The Bulls turned the Sharks over in their half and David Kriel, playing at right wing, broke through the middle and teed up his skipper Marcell Coetzee nicely for the loose-forward to score under the sticks with no black jersey in sight.

It seemed the hosts would go into the tunnel with a handsome 16-3 lead after three