The Bulls put on a stellar performance during the second half of their quarter-final match against Edinburgh, scoring six tries to secure a 42-33 victory. Despite a shaky start in the first half, the Bulls managed to turn the game around and clinch the win, advancing to the semi-finals of the United Rugby Championship.
Edinburgh came out strong in the early stages of the game, taking advantage of a yellow card to Bulls winger Sebastian de Klerk to score an early try. However, the Bulls quickly responded with a penalty kick from Keagan Johannes and a try from No 8 Cameron Hanekom. Edinburgh continued to dominate the first half, extending their lead with another try from flyhalf Ross Thompson.
The Bulls rallied just before halftime, closing the gap with tries from David Kriel and Harold Vorster. The teams went into the break with Edinburgh holding a narrow 21-18 lead.
The Bulls came out firing in the second half, with winger Canan Moodie scoring a try to give his team the lead for the first time in the match. This was followed by tries from Johannes and Ruan Nortje, all converted by Johannes to put the Bulls ahead 39-21.
Edinburgh fought back with a try from hooker Ewan Ashman, but a yellow card to JF van Heerden hindered their momentum. The Bulls extended their lead with a penalty from Johannes, but Edinburgh managed to score another try through Wes Goosen to keep the game competitive at 42-33.
Despite a late yellow card to Thompson, Edinburgh struggled to regain possession and the Bulls held on for the win. The Bulls will now face either the Sharks or Munster in the semi-finals, while Edinburgh bows out of the competition.
The match was particularly significant for Bulls director of rugby Jake White, who secured a victory over his former understudy, Sean Everitt. The Bulls also paid tribute to the late Cornal Hendricks, with Moodie wearing the number 24 jersey in his honor.
In terms of scorers, the Bulls saw tries from Hanekom, Kriel, Vorster, Moodie, Johannes, and Nortje, with conversions from Johannes. Edinburgh’s tries came from Goosen (2), Thompson (2), and Ashman, with conversions from Thompson and Mark Bennett.
Overall, it was a thrilling quarter-final match that showcased the Bulls’ resilience and determination to come out on top against a tough Edinburgh side.
