Rugby: Bulls keep Currie Cup

Despite the absence of eight Springboks to the World Cup, the Blue Bulls beat the Natal Sharks 40-19 yesterday to keep the Currie Cup.

Ahead from the sixth minute, when first five-eighth Louis Strydom kicked the first of three penalty goals, the defending champions briefly lost the lead as centre Deon Kayser crossed for a try that first five-eighth Butch James converted.

But the Bulls bounced back and centre Etienne Botha dotted down twice before halftime at Loftus Stadium to give the home province an 18-7 advantage by the break.