The following report about the match is provided for the information of members not resident in SA:-
"The Bulls laid down an early marker with an impressive 30-13 win over a hapless Cheetahs outfit in their opening Super Rugby pre-season outing in Polokwane on Saturday.
At the heart of that win was scrumhalf Piet van Zyl. who showed he could be real value as a regular starter.
Although he only came on in the second half, after Rudy Paige started the game, Van Zyl sparked the game to life - scoring twice and providing the energy that lacked earlier
The Cheetahs were made to pay for their own sloppy play when a ball was hacked downfield and Travis Ismaiel used his blistering pace to get to the ball. An inside pass to Van Zyl, who did well to get up in support, saw the Bulls race further ahead.
And an intercept by Duncan Matthews sealed the win for the Bulls.
Francois Venter scored a late consolation try for the Cheetahs, but overall it was a poor start to their pre-season.
Only a handful of the visitors enhanced their reputation - with Willie Britz, an off-season recruit from the Lions, the Cheetahs' stand-out player."
The game was not televised live - and I can give no further information on player ratings and performances. If Van Zyl keeps this up - Hougaard may be the second-cjhoice scrummie of the Bulls.
