Apex Scores Lite Apex Scores Lite flag
back Back
Bulls in second place on URC log after half-century against plucky Scarlets

With a four-week break in the URC tournament, Johan Ackermann and his coaching staff can plan to build on the solid foundation their team laid during the first phase of the current season, following a convincing victory over Wales’ Scarlets at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

Cameron Hanekom (right) and Stedman Gans of the Bulls ensure that Scarlets centre Joe Roberts has no room to move during Saturday’s URC match at Loftus Versfeld. Photo: Frans Lombard

The Bulls are in second place on the United Rugby Championship log after thrashing the plucky Scarlets from Wales 54-26 at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

Hats off to the team from Llanelli, who built on their performance from last week against the Stormers. They managed to keep pace in the hot summer weather of Pretoria until about three-quarters of the way through the match.

But in the final 20 minutes, the Bulls steamrolled their opponents.

It was performance reminiscent of the good old Northern Transvaal days. The opponents gave their all, but the Bulls’ ‘slow poison’ took effect in the final quarter of the match, allowing them to rack up the points.

Photo: Frans Lombard
Photo: Frans Lombard
Photo: Frans Lombard
Photo: Frans Lombard
Photo: Frans Lombard
Photo: Frans Lombard
Photo: Frans Lombard
Photo: Frans Lombard
Photo: Frans Lombard
Photo: Frans Lombard
Photo: Frans Lombard
Photo: Frans Lombard
Photo: Frans Lombard
Photo: Frans Lombard
Photo: Frans Lombard
Photo: Frans Lombard
Photo: Frans Lombard
Photo: Frans Lombard
Photo: Frans Lombard
Photo: Frans Lombard
Photo: Frans Lombard
Photo: Frans Lombard
Photo: Frans Lombard
Photo: Frans Lombard

Half of the hosts’ tries came in the final 22 minutes as they opened a big gap on the scoreboard for a comfortable win.

However, they did not have things entirely their own way. After the Bulls gained a 19-0 lead, the Welsh side fought back to briefly level the scores at 26-26 when Joe Roberts got their fourth try during a profitable passage of play in the second stanza, just before the hour-mark.

With their scrum setting the tone, the Vodacom Bulls grew in confidence in the final quarter, committed fewer errors and found another gear to pull clear for a solid win.

Marcell Coetzee led the hosts’ forward charge superbly and went over twice, just like Dylan Maart, while Jeandre Rudolph was equally industrious with his strong carries and was also rewarded with a try.

Do you have more information about the story?

Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za  or phone us on 083 625 4114.

For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East

For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram

At Caxton, every story is written by humans. We use AI only to perform quality checks - never to generate the news. Happy reading!

You may like

Newlands Stadium sale faces legal challenge as ARA takes SARU to court

iol.co.za 1 day ago

'Coaches have to protect their players' - Paul O'Connell hoping to move on after 'unfortunate' Ta...

rte.ie 14 hours ago

Netball SA’s new broom cleans up the previously unstable body

dailymaverick.co.za 21 hours ago

Duane Vermeulen: A Springbok warrior from a very different mould to Henry Pollock

iol.co.za 1 day ago

Bath v Sale Sharks: Five takeaways as Finn Russell has ‘first and last laugh’ over George Ford bu...

planetrugby.com 1 day ago

Sir John Kirwan: Nations Championship the ‘last opportunity’ for Dave Rennie to tinker as only ‘o...

planetrugby.com 1 day ago

Aussie rugby players launch legal action amid pay war impasse with Rugby Australia

stuff.co.nz 19 hours ago

Rassie Erasmus posts cryptic message after Tadhg Furlong judgement as Springboks boss angered ami...

planetrugby.com 1 day ago

Slaying All Blacks would be perfect way to celebrate becoming a centurion, says Finn Russell

dailymail.co.uk 1 day ago