| Bulls (21) 28 |
| Tries: Arendse, Burger 2, Coetzee Cons: Goosen 4 |
| Connacht (0) 14 |
| Try: Aungier, Hawkshaw Cons: Hawkshaw 2 |
Connacht continues to search for their first win of the season after being beaten in Pretoria by the Bulls.
Three first-half tries were scored by the hosts, and Zak Burger was quick to grab his second for the bonus-point. This took place after just 46 minutes.
David Hawkshaw and Jack Aungier both replied for the visitors late in the game, but they were unable to force a remarkable comeback.
Connacht has returned home from South Africa for back-to-back interpros after two consecutive fixtures.
Andy Friend’s side remains rooted at the bottom of the United Rugby Championship table, with no points from the three games.
Friday’s match against the beaten finalist was going to be tough for the Irish. Kurt-Lee Arendse grabbed a loose ball outside his 22 and raced under the posts.
Soon, the score was doubled when the Bulls raced down the right to within a metre. Burger then got to snipe from the base of the ruck.
Connacht did indeed threaten the hosts’ attemptline. However, they were given a lifeline when Marco van Staden received a yellow card for a dangerous tackle against Leva Fifita. The penalty brought the visitors within the 22.
The Bulls’ defense held firm, and they were able to increase their lead before Marcell Coetzee broke through. He charged in from close range at the end of the half-time.
Just six minutes into the second quarter, Ruan Nordtje broke through Connacht defense and fed Burger for the bonus point.
Bulls were reduced temporarily for 14 again when Johan Goosen was sent into the sin-bin after a head on head collision with Kieran Marsion. Connacht then applied some pressure.
Aungier held off three defenders for a 67th-minute try. David Hawkshaw then charged down Chris Smith’s attempt to score the Bulls’ second try. However, it was too late and the Bulls won.
Bulls: Arendse; Moodie, Hendricks, Kriel, Nkosi; Goosen, Burger; Steenekamp, Grobbelaar, Klopper, Steenkamp, Nortje; Coetzee, Van Staden, Louw.
Replacements: Wessels, Matanzima, Smith, Swanepoel, Ludwig, Papier, Smith, Mapoe.
Connacht: McNulty; Porch, Farrell, Daly, Hansen; Hawkshaw, Marmion; Buckley, Heffernan, Bealham, Fifita, Dowling; Murphy, Oliver, Butler.
Replacements: Stewart, Dooley, Aungier, Thornbury, Hurley-Langton, Reilly, Ralston, Booth.