The Vodacom Bulls held their nerve under pressure to beat Ulster 34-26 in an intense Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

The hosts made a strong start and went into halftime with a 21-7 lead, but Ulster fought back in the second half to set up a tense finish.

Marcell Coetzee opened the scoring from a rolling maul before Elrigh Louw finished off a series of forward drives to extend the Bulls’ advantage to 14-0. Coetzee then scored his second try from a pick-and-go as the Pretoria side looked in control.

Ulster responded with a try just before halftime to reduce the deficit to 21-7.

The visitors carried that momentum into the second half, scoring again as the Bulls were reduced to 14 players when Coetzee received a yellow card for a high tackle. A penalty goal by Handre Pollard helped steady the hosts, but Ulster continued to apply pressure and closed the gap to 24-19.

Johan Grobbelaar powered through two defenders to score the Bulls’ fourth try and secure a bonus point. Ulster refused to back down, however, and their fourth try in the 69th minute brought the score to 31-26.

The Bulls dug deep in the closing stages, with Curwin Bosch kicking a penalty goal on the full-time hooter to seal the 34-26 victory.

Scorers:

Vodacom Bulls 34 (21) – Tries: Marcell Coetzee (2), Elrigh Louw, Johan Grobbelaar. Conversions: Handre Pollard (4). Penalty goals: Handre Pollard, Curwin Bosch.

Ulster 26 (7) – Tries: Chay Mullins (2), Dave McCann, Stuart McCloskey. Conversions: Jack Murphy (3).