Forever in my heart : Sa Rugby general maneger announced suddly sign deal due………
A smile never far from his lips, looking like he could lace back up and go another 80, Cameron Hanekom accepted his post-match accolade and laid out the South African manifesto. “This is our home,” he told Super Sport. “You don’t come here and mess around with us.”
As the outstanding Bulls No.8 did the media rounds, Leinster’s beaten, dejected players steeled themselves and made their way, applauding the pockets of Irish supporters that made the journey to Pretoria. For many, this was their first experience of a big game in South Africa. The likes of Tadhg Furlong and Jack Conan will have told them what was coming. It is only living through a storm, however, that gives you a full, robust appreciation of the wails and shudders.
There were statements made up, down and across Loftus Versfeld but the biggest – outside of some pulverising scrums – arrived in the final minutes. With 72 minutes gone, Leinster were 21 phases into a desperate attack. The Bulls had reduced Leinster recycles to treacle when Jordan Larmour found Caelan Doris, looking to get a front-foot carry deeper into the Bulls’ 22. Hanekom and Elrich Louw knew what was coming and teamed up to punish Doris, hosing him back several yards. Four Bulls steamed in to gobble back possession, Hanekom emerged and carried before Sergeal Petersen walloped a kick that had Ciarán Frawley touching down under his own posts. In the space of 25 seconds, Leinster had been repelled 80 metres.
