The Bulls looked slick at times in getting the job done against Connacht, but will rue a red card to No 8 Mpilo Gumede in Saturday night’s 28-14 United Rugby Championship triumph at The Sportsground in Galway.
The Pretoria side wasted a number of scoring opportunities in a dominant first half into a strong wind and some rain in the Irish city, which should have seen go into halftime much further than just 14-0 up.
But they did what they needed to do within 15 minutes of the second half to grab the four-try bonus point to record their fifth win in six URC matches – and their first in Galway – before they travel to London to take on Saracens in next Saturday’s Champions Cup opener.
Coach Jake White would have been frustrated by some of the unforced errors by the Bulls in the opening 40 minutes against a hopelessly outclassed Connacht side missing some big-hitters such as Bundee Aki and Mack Hansen, who were on Irish Test duty against Australia earlier in the day.
The Bulls put together some energetic passages of play, with a physical forward pack led by hooker Akker van der Merwe’s sprightly efforts – he was arguably the best player on the park – captain Marcell Coetzee’s charges at close quarters and the imposing No 8 Gumede.
Halfbacks Embrose Papier and Johan Goosen, as well as fullback Willie le Roux, mixed up their kicking games smartly as well with little chips over the top and cross-kicks.
The Bulls got onto the scoreboard after just five minutes following a lineout drive, before Papier darted down the blindside before wing Sebastian de Klerk dotted down in the corner.
Goosen slotted a brilliant touchline conversion, bending the ball like a proverbial David Beckham in the swirling wind.
Sneaky as you like, Embrose Papier peaks round the maul to find Sebastian Klerk as Vodacom @BlueBullsRugby open their account at Dexcom Stadium 🙌@Vodacom #URC | #CONvBUL pic.twitter.com/t1icR7ToHT
— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) November 30, 2024
But despite producing a series of multi-phase attacks, the visitors either knocked-on inside the Connacht 22 or conceded a breakdown penalty.
Even a one-man advantage didn’t help, after Connacht No 8 Sean Jansen was red-carded in the 22nd minute by referee Mike Adamson for a direct elbow to the head of Bulls skipper Coetzee as he attempted a tackle.
A few minutes later, Coetzee went off for a head injury assessment (HIA) and didn’t return to the field as he was replaced by newly-capped Springbok Cameron Hanekom.
But the Bulls didn’t capitalise on their extra player until just before halftime, when Hanekom produced a brilliant breakdown turnover and Canan Moodie chipped ahead before Papier won the race to the ball to score.
Just before that, Moodie was taken out by a Connacht defender in chasing his own kick in the 22, but referee Adamson surprisingly ruled that the tackler was committed and waved play on.
But it didn’t take long for the Bulls to extend their lead in the second half, when centre David Kriel dummied the defence with a pass and put his foot down to motor over on the left.
David Kriel can’t be stopped 🔥
— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) November 30, 2024
The No.13 flies over the line for the Vodacom @BlueBullsRugby third try of the day 👏#BKTURC #URC | #CONvBUL pic.twitter.com/JILEhsEjGy
The four-try bonus point arrived in the 55th minute when Moodie was rewarded for a busy display with an easy intercept try.
Canan Moodie won't pass up opportunities like this ⚡⚡⚡
📺 Stream #VURC on DStv: https://t.co/0P0NNhnwKw pic.twitter.com/FoWMYWf1CZ
But the gloss was taken off the Bulls’ victory somewhat by Gumede’s unnecessary red card in the 58th minute.
He had been cleaned-out at a ruck by Connacht replacement back David Hawkshaw, who then held onto him a bit, and Gumede tried to push him away with his hand in frustration.
But his fingers was deemed by Adamson to be in the “eye area” – although it looked like Gumede had grabbed Hawkshaw by the nose – and he was sent off.
Hawkshaw forced his way over a few minutes later to put Connacht on the board, while a second consolation try by Caolin Blade added further respectability to the score for the hosts.
Points-Scorers
Bulls 28 – Tries: Sebastian de Klerk, Embrose Papier, David Kriel, Canan Moodie. Conversions: Johan Goosen (4).
Connacht 14 – Tries: David Hawkshaw, Caolin Blade. Conversions: Cathal Forde (2).