Bulls bounce back at Loftus
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The Vodacom Bulls reignited their URC challenge for a top-two finish with a bonus-point win against the Lions at Loftus on Saturday.
The 31-19 victory sees Jake White’s team close the gap on the second-placed Glasgow Warriors to just two log points, while the Lions drop from 12th to 13th after a fifth defeat in six matches.
After a lacklustre performance against the Sharks last week, the Bulls brought the intensity at the start of this Jukskei derby – capitalising on a lost Lions lineout, winger Canan Moodie took a long pass from flyhalf Willie le Roux and stepped inside several Lions defenders to score the opening try three minutes after the first whistle.
Six minutes later, a set move from a lineout saw Le Roux part the red sea to grab the Bulls’ second, and when winger Sebastian de Klerk collected fullback Devon Williams’ kick ahead, the Bulls led 17-0 after 14 minutes.
Willie le Roux snakes throux for the Vodacom @BlueBullsRugby 2⃣nd try! #BULvLIO | @Vodacom#URC | #VupYourSummerpic.twitter.com/sD0rATxgsh
— vodacomrugby (@VodacomRugga) February 22, 2025
The Lions fought back well, though. Centre Henco van Wyk took a quick-tap penalty to score after winger Edwill van der Merwe had reclaimed his kick down the left touchline.
Emirates @LionsRugbyCo claw one back #BULvLIO | @Vodacom#URC | #VupYourSummerpic.twitter.com/mYsI8xVMp7
— vodacomrugby (@VodacomRugga) February 22, 2025
In a double blow for the Bulls, midfielder Stedman Gans was yellow-carded for failing to retreat, and Lions hooker PJ Botha scored while he was off to reduce the deficit to three.
Lions fullback Quan Horn was sent to the bin just before the break, for coming in from the side, and the subsequent Bulls attack ended with No 8 Mpilo Gumede being held up by Van der Merwe.
But the hosts did make their one-man advantage count early in the second half, when Moodie dotted down for the bonus-point try, and flanker Marco van Staden then went over following several pick-and-goes close to the line to give them a 17-point lead.
Winger Richard Kriel scored the Lions’ third try with 15 minutes to go, but they had a fourth chalked off and ultimately came away with nothing to show for their efforts.
A full round of URC matches will be played next week, with the Bulls hosting the Stormers and the Lions up against the Sharks.
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