Libbok stars as 13 Bulls tame Lions in Currie Cup thriller

Debutant flanker Frederik Eksteen was red-carded after only 18 minutes for a shoulder charge to the head of an opponent at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.

Lock Andries Ferreira received a yellow card for fouling a rival at a lineout on 59 minutes, leaving the visitors two men short at a critical stage. 

The Bulls were reduced to 13 men again in additional time when centre Dylan Sage was yellow-carded as the Lions pressed for a try that would have brought them level.

Fly-half Libbok, who hopes to replace Montpellier-bound Handre Pollard in Bulls' 2020 Super Rugby side, said the team were stung after being called a "disgrace" by coach Pote Human last week. 

Human was responding to a heavy home loss by the Griquas that virtually ended any hopes the Pretoria outfit had of reaching the semi-finals.

"Our backs were against the wall and we had to regain the respect of our supporters and the coaches," he said after being voted the man of the match.

"In accepting the award I want to praise our forwards, who laid the platform for this courageous performance. They gave me plenty of quality possession."

Libbok scored a try, created the other two for Cornal Hendricks and Dayan van der Westhuizen, and kicked two conversions and four penalties. 

Scrum-half Ivan van Zyl, who was captaining the Bulls for the first time, said the key to the remarkable victory was teamwork.

"Our motto tonight was to play for the guy next to you and it worked. I believe we were too individualistic in some of the other Currie Cup matches this season.

"The team displayed massive heart, particularly when we were down to 13 men, and I was immensely proud and privileged to be their leader."

Despite the win, the Pretoria side lie sixth with only one regular season fixture to play and are unlikely to make the knockout phase. 

Griquas, who had a bye, share first place on 15 points with the Lions, who earned two bonus points when surrendering their unbeaten record.

The Free State Cheetahs and record 34-time Currie Cup champions Western Province have 12 points each, trophy-holders the Sharks 10, the Bulls nine and the Pumas seven.