Bulls prevail in a thrilling climax
Edinburgh give another plucky, smart display
● The Bulls’ United Rugby Championship (URC) clash with Edinburgh produced a slow, yet thrilling climax at Loftus Versfeld yesterday.
A high tackle by Bulls wing Stravino Jacobs resulted in a penalty for the visitors in the 80th-minute but visiting fullback Henry Immelman’s kick drifted well wide to hand the hosts a fortuitous 33-31 win.
Mike Blair’s Edinburgh team showed why they were such redoubtable opponents last season with another plucky, smart and competent display.
A hat-trick of tries by star wing Darcy Graham helped the side claw back the contest after the Bulls had made much of the early running.
Early on it looked as if the Bulls might have things their own way.
The Bulls had gainline ascendancy and were making a nuisance of themselves at the ruck.
A yellow card to lock Edinburgh’s Grant Gilchrist left his team vulnerable and the Bulls punished them soon after when Elrigh Louw barged over.
Edinburgh hit back through left-wing Charlie Savala in the corner. Mark Bennett’s gun-barrel straight conversion closed the gap to eight points but that was soon reduced to just one after Graham scored a converted try.
Though the Bulls stretched their lead, Edinburgh showed great resolve. Their tenacity paid dividends when Graham crossed in the 68th minute. The conversion sailed through the uprights and the visitors held a one-point advantage with 11 minutes to go.
Morné Steyn, however, banged over a long range penalty to hand the Bulls the lead.
Meanwhile, in Stellenbosch defending champions, the Stormers, were always in command in their 38-15 win over Connacht.
Before kickoff the teams lined up to mark the passing of former Wales and British & Irish Lions No 8 Eddie Butler. The revered commentator died of cancer in Peru this week.
He would have delighted in Stormers No 8 Evan Roos running on to the ball at speed, ridding himself of a defender and racing clear to the corner flag for the game’s first try.
Roos and fellow backrowers Hacjivah Dayimani and Junior Pokomela were superb for the hosts who seemed to pick up where they left off last season.
While the Stormers were making more gains in territory and possession, imprecision at the ruck robbed them of more opportunities to advance the scoreboard in the first half.
The hosts held a 13-8 lead at the break but two Manie Libbok penalties stretched their lead.
Connacht were dealt a huge blow when their Ireland international Bundee Aki was red-carded in the 60th minute for a dangerous clean-out. He arrived at breakneck speed and appeared to make contact with Seabelo Senatla’s head.
He remonstrated with officials before grudgingly departing the scene.
The Stormers immediately seized the moment and, if there was any doubt, the match was killed as a contest. With dexterous handling by Dayimani, Clayton Blommetjies helped set up a try for Andre-Hugo Venter.