Inhaltsverzeichnis für 2024-01-29 in Star

‘Single most damaging action to industry already on its knees’ THE DECISION by International Trade Administration Commission (Itac) on Friday to allow rebates on frozen chicken imports is a blow for local poultry producers, who now face greater competition from imports after many of them faced massive financial losses last year. Itac has recommended to the government that certain rebates on frozen poultry imports be regulated in the event of chicken supply shortages, caused by the outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) last year, although, there has been no shortages. The South Africa Poultry Association (Sapa) said on Friday: “The implementation of a rebate and any permits issued under this will be the single most damaging action to a poultry industry already on its knees.” Smalltalkdaily Research analyst Anthony…

SOUTH Africa is poised for economic stagnation this year if there is no improvement in aggregate demand and an increase in investment inflows, Oxford Economics Africa said on Friday. Although the rand made some recovery last week, “widening fiscal and current account shortfalls will exert depreciatory pressures” going forward, according to a survey by forecaster FocusEconomics, which sees the rand closing this year at R18.48 to the dollar, and ending 2025 at R18.63 to the greenback. Although there was an uptick in retail sales in December, there was also a deterioration in new business output and stocks of purchases, said FocusEconomics, adding that the crisis at South African ports “continued to cause severe shipping delays”, which were impacting business and the economy. S&P Global senior economist David Owen highlighted that…

The SOUTH African agricultural sector had a mixed growth trajectory in 2023. The past year saw the continuation of the post-pandemic recovery. It also saw the reduction in the prices of major agricultural inputs such as fuel and agrochemicals (mainly fertiliser) whose prices have been affected by the shortages induced by the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war. The output of most major crops such maize, soybeans and wheat remained at record highs. The ninth and final crop estimates from the Crops Estimate Committee (CEC) of the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development indicate that the output for summer crops grew by 7.1% in 2023 to 20.1 million tons from 18.7 tons in 2022. The fifth CEC’s winter crop production forecast indicates that the output for winter crops will…

SOUTH African financial markets ended the week on better footing on Friday in spite of slightly softening after the SA Reserve Bank (SARB) left interest rates unchanged and warned about the upside risks to inflation. The rand closed at R18.72 against the US dollar on Friday after weakening to R19.22/$1 earlier in the week, mainly supported by expectations of delayed rate cuts and mild weakness to the greenback. The SARB’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) on Thursday maintained the repo and prime lending rates at 8.25% and 11.75% at its first meeting of the year, respectively. The decision was unanimous for the second meeting in a row, suggesting that all members are confident that interest rates were restrictive enough. Nedbank economist Isaac Matshego said their base case scenario was for the…

An AUSTRALIAN police authority has joked they are “investigating” Margot Robbie’s Oscars snub. Victoria Police were having some fun on social media after the Barbie actress – who was born and raised in Queensland – failed to land a nomination in the best actress category for this year’s Academy Awards, while her co-star Ryan Gosling is on the shortlist for his role as Ken. Alongside a collage featuring photos of Robbie throughout her career – from Aussie soap Neighbours and beyond – the local authority quipped: “POLICE INVESTIGATE AS MARGOT ROBBIED: Police are investigating after a former resident of Ramsay Street was allegedly robbed of an Oscar nomination for best actress.” The force took the chance to offer some genuine advice to Victoria residents when it comes to reporting certain…

MELGISEDEK buildings in Riviera that were declared unsafe for human habitation more than eight years ago will be among the derelict buildings targeted by the City of Tshwane in its fight against illegal occupation of properties in the inner-city. The infamous buildings located next to Steve Biko Academic Hospital continued to accommodate more than 500 people in spite of being condemned by the City before the 2016 municipal elections. Inside the building, some toilets had been turned into residences, leaving people with no ablution facilities. There is no electricity and dwellers are struggling to get water. People living at Melgisedek are exposed to bad odours, mosquitoes and flies. The City has conduct an audit of the people living there but so far relocation plans for the residents have not borne…

WHILE the four men convicted for the murder of Wandile Bozwana were on Friday sentenced to an effective 30 years in prison each, both the court and the billionaire businessman’s family are still in the dark as to the motive for the “hit.” Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, Judge Papi Mosopa, during sentencing, commented that the killers, Sipho Patrick Hudla, Robert Mutapa, Mamelodi businessman Vusi “Khekhe” Mathibela and Bonginkosi Paul Khumalo, never revealed the motive for the killing. During the marathon trial which started in June 2017, all four denied any involvement in the killing. They, however, opted not to take the stand in defence of their case before their convictions, nor did they testify before sentencing. If they did take the stand, it would have left them open to questioning…

TRIBUTES have poured in following the death of South Africa’s first black neurosurgeon, Professor Mochichi Samuel Mokgokong. He died at the age of 72. The Health Professions Council of SA (HPCSA) said Mokgokong, who was the organisation’s president from 2011 until 2015, died on January 24. Current HPCSA president Professor Simon Nemutandani said the country was blessed to have been shaped by the will, leadership and vision of Mokgokong. He was well known for heading the team responsible for separations of craniopagus conjoined twins and has trained and mentored more than 20 neurosurgeons, he said. “The sudden loss of our leader, colleague and friend is devastating. His inspiring leadership enabled all of us to fulfil our role in improving public health, especially for the most affected people,” said Nemutandani. The…

Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane has “vehemently condemned” political party campaigns at public schools during lesson time. Chiloane made the remarks after an unnamed political party allegedly unleashed a campaign at some schools in Eldorado Park on Thursday. The provincial Education Department said this transpired while teaching was taking place. “We strongly condemn the intrusion of political parties into Gauteng public schools. Education environments must remain apolitical to ensure a focused and unbiased learning atmosphere. Curriculum delivery time, must always be respected ... no one must disrupt schools,” said Chiloane. Last week, as election mood intensified across South Africa, opposition parties urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to use next month’s State of the Nation Address to declare a provisional election date. The Star’s sister paper, The Mercury reported that Ramaphosa is…

A Palestinian flag on a block of council flats in Lavender Hill on the Cape Flats has again highlighted the inability of the DA to figure out a simple strategic issue. It has proved to be the nemesis of the DA. Obliterating the Palestinian flag has proven to galvanise Muslim sentiment firstly and secondly, human rights and former mass democratic activists against the party. The speed and effectiveness with which the DA-led City of Cape Town painted over the Palestinian flag by marshalling law enforcement officers and a private paint contractor did not slip past the community and the public at large. Residents of council housing estates are now featured in short clips across social media berating the city about the state of their council homes and their thousands of…

THERE was no silverware for the Blitzboks in Perth, but they return home from the Australia leg of the World Sevens Series with their heads held high. The South Africans finished their Perth campaign on a high note by outplaying France 24-5 to finish the tournament in fifth place. To be fair to the Blitzboks, their 14-12 quarter-final defeat to Fiji could easily have been a victory on a luckier day. Argentina won their second successive tournament to retain their place at the top of the standings, while the Blitzboks are now tied in fourth spot with Ireland, behind Australia and Fiji after three tournaments. Springbok Sevens head coach Sandile Ngcobo said the performance against France yesterday morning doesn’t make up for the defeat to Fiji, but the way the…

ASSET management firm Schroders has warned that policy uncertainty around the future of South Africa’s Just Energy Transition Programme (JETP) was worrying for investors within the renewable energy sector. This comes as the government recently published an updated energy blueprint, the draft Integrated Resource Plan 2023 (IRP2023), for public comments The IRP2023 has proposed in- creased fossil fuel usage compared to the IRP2019 and reduced renewable energy usage, as part of the energy mix to retain dispatchable capacity on the back of electricity supply deficit. Some of the proposals in the IRP2023 include the delayed shutdown by 10 years of Eskom’s coal-fired power stations earmarked for decommissioning post 2035, where technically and commercially feasible. Schroders supports companies’ transition to more sustainable business models and is taking action to achieve net…

IN 2023, a prodigy and futuristic Wandile Sihlobo published his second book titled A Country of Two Agricultures, where he asserts that South Africa has not been successful in closing the productivity and inequality gap between white and black farmers. His book affirms that these dis- parities are a consequence of the historic laws that privileged white farmers, and instigated land dispossession and livestock plunder of black people. The notion of “two agricultures” which refers to a duality problem was first raised by Merle Lipton in 1976 in the context of differences in productivity between then well-supported white farmers and poor black farmers. In his book, Sihlobo provides a series of practical and well-thought-out solutions that can help address the duality problem. Among these thought-provoking measures, is a paradigm shift…

LEWIS Group increased total revenue by 8.7% in the nine months to December 2023 in an environment of sustained pressure on consumer disposable income while load shedding and congestion at the local ports continued to negatively impact economic growth. The furniture retailer said group merchandise sales grew by 4.2%. The group’s traditional retail brands of Lewis, Beares and Best Home & Electric grew sales by 6.6%, driven by the continued consumer demand for credit. Sales in the group’s cash retail brand UFO fell by 14.5%. Group credit sales increased by 17.5%, accounting for 65.8% of total sales. Group cash sales reflected the impact of higher fuel, energy, food and borrowing costs on discretionary spending and fell by 14.4%. Comparable store sales in the traditional brands grew by 3.2% for the…

Capital expenditure at Alphamin’s Mpama South project was expected to exceed the budgeted $116 million (R2.18 billion) by 10% this year, owing to higher logistical and import costs, the JSE AltX-listed company said Friday. Alphamin produces 4% of the world’s mined tin from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where its production for 2023 was marginally up by 1% at 12 568 tons. In the fourth quarter to December, Alphamin’s DRC production amounted to 3 126 tons, while sales stood at 2 046 tons, impacted by “poor road conditions, which have subsequently improved” post the period. Its Ebitda earnings guidance for the 2023 full year of $136m, at an average tin price of $26 009 per ton, has, however, been “negatively affected by a…

Kgomotso Christopher blew viewers away with her performance on Net-flix’s Fatal Seduction, where she played the lead character, Nandi. Now the award-winning actress will get to show off her prowess in SABC1’s Generations: The Legacy. Come March 14, Christopher will enter the show as Keabetswe Moloi, in a storyline set to shake things up in the Moroka household. Keabetswe is Khumo Moroka’s (Aubrey Poo) twin sister, but unlike her scheming brother, she is open, honest and passionate about using her position as a Moroka to help people and do good in the world. “Their relationship is ultimately one of supreme loya lty and fierce protection of each other. She has a savvy mind for business and a generous heart,” read a statement from the channel. Meanwhile, Christopher has dedicated…

AFTER weeks of qualifications fraud revelations, Meloney van Eck, who was recently appointed to the audit and risk committee of the Gauteng Growth and Development Agency (GGDA), has come out guns blazing to prove her qualifications. The Star can confirm her qualifications, as seen on her CV, are authentic. While the DA has previously red-flagged Van Eck, saying she wasn’t fit for the role and had suspicious links with MEC Tasneem Motara, Van Eck has produced copies of her qualifications. Yesterday, private tertiary institution Stadio confirmed to The Star that Van Eck received her Bachelor of Business Administration (SAQA ID: 117863 specialisation in project management) in 2022. The University of Pretoria has also confirmed to The Star that Van Eck had successfully completed an Advanced Management Development Programme. There…

BUS operators who consciously transport illegal immigrants across South Africa’s ports of entry could have their permits revoked by the Border Management Authority (BMA). The border law enforcement authority gave this stern warning as it raised concern about the number of public transporters and conveyancers found to have been transporting illegal immigrants over the 2023/24 festive period. At a briefing in Pretoria yesterday, Dr Mike Masiapato, the commissioner of the BMA, detailed that between December 6 and January 18, the authority had imposed 98 administrative fines on various conveyancers, especially bus companies, amounting to R3 540 000. He said that these bus companies were transporting illegal migrants across the border at a cost of R15 000 per person. Masiapato said they had managed to collect R9.8 million in outstanding fines…

As we begin the new year, the executive recruitment environment is ready for revolution. Technological advancements, shifting labour dynamics, and a focus on diversity are driving anticipated changes. This is according to recruitment specialists, the Redi Holbourne Group. Here are the expected trends: ■ Tech-infused talent acquisition Advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence and data analytics, will increasingly be integrated into recruiting procedures. “Advanced algorithms will streamline candidate screening, ensuring a more efficient and data-driven selection process,” said expert, Nicole Ramos. She added that one downside is the difficulty in determining a candidate’s cultural fit, which is vital for effective integration into an organisation. ■ Data-driven decision-making Data analytics, like Talent Mapping, are crucial for effective recruiting and give significant insights into talent acquisition initiatives. Leveraging data-driven decision-making processes can…

The City of Tshwane is set to embark on a process to lease Rooiwal and Pretoria West power stations after the council on Thursday passed a report in which the public gave the municipality the go-head to do so. In September last year, the council sought to solicit public views on its proposal to lease the stations to independent power producers for a period of 40 years According to the City, the rationale behind the project was to reduce its dependence on Eskom and alleviate the burden of load shedding. Executive mayor Cilliers Brink said the council approved the second report, which gives the green light to proceed with the 40-year lease of both municipal power stations. “This follows our robust public participation engagements with various stakeholders wherein we received…

MultiChoice has disqualified housemate from Big Brother Mzansi barely a week since the show made its tantalising much-anticipated debut on screens. BravoB and Makhekhe, two of the male housemates, were found to be having an inappropriate conversation that put the safety of the other residents at risk. Following the airing of the remarks, several social media users and viewers demanded an intervention from MultiChoice igniting controversy. This resulted in Lindokuhle Nsele, fondly known as BravoB, being booted from the competition, while Makhekhe was reprimanded. In different videos, Nsele can be heard planning to have sex with some of their women housemates when they are intoxicated. “MultiChoice has investigated the matter regarding a conversation between two housemates on Big Brother Mzansi, which is currently airing on DStv channel 198. “We do…

MUSA Keys has been consistent in making a name for himself as a music artist beyond South Africa. Having collaborated with one of Africa’s music giants, Davido, on their smash hit song Unavailable, the star has been on a winning streak. This much-loved song has earned him a prestigious Grammy award, a monumental achievement that reverberates through the South African and African music business. This gifted musician, who is only 23, has become not only the youngest male nominee from South Africa but has also blazed a new path for the amapiano genre. The recognition comes in the form of a nomination in the esteemed best African music performance category. While celebrities across the globe celebrate their nominations in different ways, Musa Keys was honoured at an exclusive Grammy nomination…

Climate misinformation, whether accidental or deliberate, distorts facts related to fossil fuel emissions and climate change. Examples include greenwashing by businesses, diverting attention from environmental issues by showcasing superficial eco-friendly efforts such as recycling. Contrastingly, disinformation involves intentional dissemination of false information. Climate deniers and organisations with vested interests often use this tactic to discredit climate science and impede environmental policies. Major fossil fuel companies like Shell, Exxon Mobil, and BP have faced accusations of undermining climate science for decades. Groups such as The Empowerment Alliance in the US and the Responsible Energy Citizen Coalition in Europe employ astroturfing, masquerading as grassroots movements to support fossil fuels and oppose green policies. These tactics, often funded by undisclosed sources, cloud public understanding and hinder effective climate action. Social media amplifies the…

According to Sunday reports, the Springboks are set to sign former All Black flyhalf Tony Brown as an attack coach – and if they get this right, it will be a huge boost for the South Africans. Another former international player, Jerry Flannery, is also in line to join Rassie Erasmus’ staff. The former Ireland hooker was a 2009 Six Nations Grand Slam winner — he won 41 Test caps between 2005 and 2011 — before starting his coaching career under Erasmus at Munster. A top priority for the Boks as they start a new four-year cycle is to grow their attacking game, and in the innovative Brown they would have one of the best proponents of the art of attack. As a player, Brown was a tricky customer with…

THE 2023/24 summer is one that the women’s game in South Africa will remember for many years to come. From professionalising women’s domestic cricket, to touring and winning a series in Pakistan for the first time, this summer has been special for women’s cricket in the country. Captain Laura Wolvaardt and her team ticked yet another monumental box as a team yesterday, when they beat the Australia Women for the first time, in Canberra. Wolvaardt led from the front with an unbeaten half-century to record a six-wicket victory over Australia in the second T20 of the three-match series. The captain told the media that the victory was a special achievement for the team. “Having never beaten them before in any format, it’s something we were looking to change and to…

CITY Lodge says its “Life is hard. Check into easy” tagline, which resonates with the daily struggles of South Africans, brings a fresh approach to acknowledg- ing the complexities faced by the market. The “Life is hard” tagline is a departure from marketing campaign messages of many hoteliers that are all about glitz and glamour aimed at high social media appeal. City Lodge said it had learnt the hard way that it had to be realistic about the struggles faced by South Africans in their daily life. Take, for example, high interest rates, elevated inflation and a volatile rand that are eating away at the value of what’s in South Africans’ pockets. “There is also trust and relationship, and an understanding of where their market is at: Life is hard.…

THE KWAZULU-Natal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (KZNDard) is to continue to invest in strategic programmes aimed at the lu- crative agricultural sector to bolster eco- nomic growth and job creation and to help alleviate poverty in the province. This as the South African agricultural sector has doubled in value and volume terms over the past three decades, according to Agricultural Business Chamber (Agbiz) – a significant contributor to South Africa’s gross domestic product. In an interview with Business Report, Zibusiso Dlamini, the KZNDard head of department, said one such programme was the agri-hub programme, providing secondary and tertiary value addition centres for primary agricultural products. The magnitude and the success of the agri-hubs to support the stimulation of the economy in the province depended on planning. “Currently, the…

In the UN, all nations are equal. Just like in a kraal, all cows are cows. While South Africa innocently went for the cow, unwittingly it did not realise that this was a calf that still suckles from the cow’s udder. The Shangaan have a saying that soon became obvious, that not all cows are cows. There are calves that parade as cows, yet they get caught suckling from the cow. And this became apparent in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) case that South Africa brought against Israel. The judgment was passed on January 26. The Shangaan people say, “If you want to attack a cow, threaten the calf.” On January 26, the International Court of Justice passed a seminal judgement against Israel. The metaphorical calf felt threatened, and…

SOUTH African steel production rose by 10.6% in 2023 to an estimated 4.9 million tons (Mt), according to the World Steel Association (worldsteel). The 2023 rise was despite the problems caused by load shedding and Transnet logistics challenges. The 2023 rise was the first annual increase since 2017, but the 2023 total was still 32% below the 2014 total of 7.2Mt. South Africa lost its crown as Africa’s largest steel producer to Egypt in 2017 and the gap between Egypt and South Africa has grown steadily since then. In 2023 Egypt produced 10.6Mt, more than double South Africa’s production. One of the reasons for the declining trend in South African steel production was the imposition of a 25% tariff by the US on steel imports and a 10% tariff…

In recent years, the Balenciaga fashion brand has been rocked by various scandals. Chief among them was the release of the label’s holiday ad campaign in November 2022, which featured children holding teddy bears in bondage harnesses and costumes. The Bondage and Discipline, Dominance and Submission, Sadism and Masochism (BDSM) accessories were also controversially featured on the runway at a Balenciaga Paris Fashion Week show. This resulted in widespread backlash, causing the hashtag #cancelBalenciaga to trend across social media platforms at the time. But the prominent fashion house once represented precise attention to detail as it persisted through adversity and sought to inject beauty into a troubled and fragile world. This high level of craftsmanship, obsession with every stage of the fashion production process, and commitment to be an…

Globally renowned a cappella sensation The Soil is back with a new highly anticipated album titled Reimagined, after seven years out of the limelight. The comeback album, which will be released on February 23, showcases the group’s evolution and musical prowess, offering a fresh, innovative and spiritual sound that fans have been eagerly awaiting. Comprising Luphindo and Ntsika Ngxanga, and newest member, Theo Matshoba, The Soil’s distinctive vocal blend and soulful melodies are sure to resonate with long-time fans and new listeners alike. Speaking about the upcoming projects, Ntsika said: “In this extraordinary moment, as the stars align, we deeply cherish the privilege of once again being entrusted to channel this exquisite body of work. “Every ounce of our passion and soul has been poured into crafting this album, a…

STELLENBOSCH University’s student representative council has called for an audit of all residences after a shocking discovery last week of two hidden rooms at the Wilgenhof residence where punishment was seemingly meted out to male students who fell foul of an informal disciplinary committee. SRC president, Phiwokuhle Qabaka, said despite news reports at the weekend that the council had known about the existence of the two rooms at Wilgenhof, since at least 2020, the current leadership was never informed. Qabaka said: “We looked at the minutes (when the discovery was made in March 2020), none of the current SRC was in office. This was four years ago. (At the time) this was raised with the management of the university and the Centre for Student Affairs. “What we were told this…

AS schools opened last week and after concerns were raised around the safety of pupils being transported to and from school, officials have come out to announce that in a crackdown, hundreds of vehicles had been removed from the roads, and many drivers arrested. The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) said at the end of the first week of the school calendar, that traffic authorities intensified their national crackdown on unroadworthy vehicles transporting pupils to school. “The back-to-school campaign, which started when schools reopened, has so far resulted in 37 548 vehicles stopped and checked in 484 law-enforcement operations in different provinces,” RTMC spokesperson Simon Zwane said. He said provinces with the highest number of vehicles stopped and checked were KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape and Gauteng. “A total of 167…

Ingredients: 4 chicken breast fillets Olive oil, for grilling and dressing 1 tsp each paprika and cumin Salt and milled pepper 1 can corn kernels, drained and patted dry 1 packet medley tomatoes 1 packet snacking peppers 1 can black beans or red kidney beans 1 punnet fresh coriander, chopped 3 limes 3 cups cooked white long-grain rice Method Drizzle chicken with oil and rub with spices. Season. Heat a griddle pan until almost smoking hot. Grill chicken until tender, cooked through and well-charred, about 8-10 minutes. Remove and slice. Wipe griddle pan clean, then toss corn on the grill until charred. Combine charred corn with tomatoes, peppers, beans and half the coriander in a bowl. Dress with olive oil and juice of 1 lime. Season. Flavour rice with remaining…

The London Zoo saw a new addition to the family when a tiny west lowland gorilla was born on January 17 to mother, Mjukuu, after an approximately eight-and-a-half-month pregnancy. Gorilla keepers, conducting their daily morning duties, quickly spotted signs that Mjukuu was in labour. Allowing the experienced mother space, they monitored her via CCTV cameras. In a scene captured on camera, second-time mom Mjukuu could be seen gently cradling her newborn moments after giving birth. “The troop’s curious youngsters, Alika and Gernot, were given the opportunity to examine the intriguing new arrival,” the zoo said in a media statement. “Our day started as normal – I gave the gorillas their breakfast and began our cleaning routines. When we returned to their back dens, we could see Mjukuu was starting to…

IN HER groundbreaking work, Edge of Chaos: Why Democracy is Failing to Deliver Economic Growth – and How to Fix It, Dr Dambisa Moyo presents a bold blueprint, challenging the very foundations of democracies in the 21st century. Moyo contends that without significant reforms, especially in Western democracies, the ability to deliver economic growth and prosperity for citizens is fundamentally compromised. Her thesis underscores the urgent need for substantial changes to the nature of democracy and its institutions to confront the formidable challenges our global economy faces. Moyo’s perspective is reinforced by Professor Ian Shapiro’s assertion that democracies worldwide are in jeopardy, primarily due to governments’ failure to formulate policies fostering inclusive growth and employment. The consequences are clear – a rising tide of anger and disenfranchisement among the populace.…

Honourable Judge Julia Sebutinde, I have read your 12-page justification in the matter between South Africa and the state of Israel as a participant judge in the International Court of Justice (ICJ). I do not know what you call your response to the outrageous and controversial dissension you gave against South Africa, against the lives of the people of Palestine and against all odds, but I am sure you will also agree that it is nothing more than an embellished view with some legal jargon, nomenclature and irrelevant case law. The case law you use to justify your dissent is a clear example of the old cliché of the unfair comparison between apples and oranges. The wars you are citing in Africa are nothing closer to occupation, genocide, or…

While they nearly threw away a valuable victory with unforced errors, Jake White feels it’s “not all doom and gloom” for the Bulls after their 30-28 triumph over the Lions at the weekend. The Pretoria side fought back from 12-3 down in the first half at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, to lead 27-18 at one stage, but again allowed the Lions back into the game when replacement prop Morgan Naudé dotted down. Flyhalf Johan Goosen stepped up to nail a penalty from inside his own half with a minute left on the clock, but then Lions counterpart Jordan Hendrikse was unable to convert an attempt at goal from the halfway line after the hooter. Despite the Bulls pack conceding several scrum penalties to a powerful Lions unit, they wasted a…