Flyhalf Chris Smith kicked 20 points as the Vodacom Bulls held on to beat Glasgow Warriors at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
The hosts raced to a 37-10 lead in the second half before Glasgow rallied to score three late tries, the Bulls surviving the fightback to win 40-34.
Glasgow opening the scoring after seven minutes, executing a slick lineout that caught the Bulls off guard, allowing flanker Matt Fagerson to dot down.
The visitors catching the Vodacom @BlueBullsRugby napping 😴 #KidsRound#BULvGLA | @Vodacom #URC | #KidsRound pic.twitter.com/OwMSkcqy8v
— vodacomrugby (@VodacomRugga) May 11, 2024
But the tourists then lost captain Kyle Steyn to a yellow card for a tip-tackle on hooker Akker van der Merwe, and the Bulls took advanatge to score two tries in his absence.
Van der Merwe and No 8 Cameron Hanekom breached the tryline to give the hosts the lead with 15 minutes to go in the first half.
Akker’s in the corner for his 9️⃣th try this season!
He’s second on the leading try-scorer list 👀#BULvGLA | @Vodacom #URC | #KidsRound pic.twitter.com/DcWOkjWDcI
— vodacomrugby (@VodacomRugga) May 11, 2024
Hanekom hauls over for home side! 🐂
🐂 1️⃣4️⃣ – 1️⃣0️⃣ ⚔🛡️#BULvGLA | @Vodacom #URC | #KidsRound pic.twitter.com/Bnc4YcmyXr
— vodacomrugby (@VodacomRugga) May 11, 2024
Building on their momentum, winger Kurt Lee Arendse and flanker Elrigh Louw combined for a sensational score, a candidate for try of the season, propelling the Bulls to a 24-10 advantage at the break.
KLA + ELLA = 😍😍😍😍
— SA Rugby magazine (@SARugbymag) May 11, 2024
Winger Canan Moodie extended the Bulls’ lead with another try after the restart, but the Warriors responded vigorously, scoring three consecutive tries through Steyn, winger Sebastian Cancelliere, and replacement back Duncan Weir.
It’s a @GlasgowWarriors resurgence 👀#BULvGLA | @Vodacom #URC | #KidsRound pic.twitter.com/JYtCbtShRV
— vodacomrugby (@VodacomRugga) May 11, 2024
Smith kicked a late penalty to extend the Bulls’ lead to nine points; however, a spectacular overtime penalty from Weir clinched a crucial second bonus point for the Warriors, potentially pivotal as the regular URC season concludes.
Photo: Gordon Arons/Gallo Images