The Bulls ended their losing streak when they held on to beat the Lions 30 / 23 at Loftus Versfeld in a tightly contested match.

The Lions took an early lead in the match but the Bulls took the lead when they scored the first try of the match and led from that point on.

The Lions however pushed the Bulls close throughout the match and were within 7 points for all but a brief moment.

The hosts scored three tries in the contest while the Lions had to settle for two late five-pointers that restored some dignity to the scoreline.

Having lost their previous two matches at home the win was exactly what the defending champions needed as they prepare to go on tour.

The Bulls leave for Wellington, New Zealand on Tuesday.

During the contest the Lions opened the scoring just before the 10th minute mark with a penalty by flyhalf Elton Jantjies.

The men from Johannesburg initially succeeded in stavring their hosts of possession but again their finishing left much to desire.

This was highlighted when scrumhalf Jano Vermaak failed to collect a ball kicked through the Bulls line, although the home side’s defence also needs to be credited for their outstanding work throughout the contest.

Instead of adding to their score the Lions had to watch the Bulls build momentum and confidence as their big ball carriers took the ball up to the advantage line like they used to during the previous year’s campaign.

Flank Dewald Potgieter was first to cross the white-wash with a spectacular diving try in the 26th minute that further boosted moral in the Pretoria camp.

Then the Lions’ poor performance at scrum-time ensured that flyhalf Morne Steyn took his team into double figures with a penalty as the half-time mark approached.

The Bulls’ dominance at scrum-time highlighted what the team is capable of while there was a notable improvement in their accuracy on the night.

Jantjies would, however, have the final say in the first 40 when he landed a long range attempt after the siren had sounded.

Leading 10-6 at the break the Bulls tried their best to start the second stanza on a positive note, but were denied thanks to some outstanding work the loose-trio of the Lions did during that important stage of the game.

While they continued to threaten the Lions’ line, the Bulls had to settle for three points through Steyn’s boot to take the score to 13-6.

The Lions responded yb pulling back three points but were eventually outmuscled by the Bulls who scored their second try courtesy of replacement hooker Gary Botha.

Steyn then rubbed more salt into the Lions’ wounds with a well-struck penalty conversion which marked the opening of the flood gates.

In the final quarter of the match wing Bjorn Basson dived over in the corner; the Lions scored their first five-pointer through wing Deon van Rensburg; and their captain, Franco van der Merwe celebrated his 50th Super Rugby match with a try of his own.

The Lions were once again guilty of not taking their chances and will be hugely disappointed in the result when considering that they made a big step-up after last week’s poor performance against the Force.

And although the Bulls will be relieved that they are back on the winning track, captain Victor Matfield admitted afterwards that hey would have been even more satisfied had they bagged the bonus point for scoring four tries.

After Match Press Conferences:

[cincopa AMCA7hKxAGGL]