The Bulls team managed to maintain their victory over Ulster, despite the home side appearing rather mediocre in the match played at Loftus Versfeld stadium on Saturday. The final score was 34-16 in favor of the hosts.
Coach Johan Akkerman is likely disappointed with his team's drop in performance after confident wins with scores of 50 points against Stade Français and Lions, but he views this match as a signal for awakening. He noted that even a loss while playing poorly is a kind of bonus.
The Bulls started the game quite well, but their play became very weak in the second half. The match took place in intense heat, and it was expected that Ulster would weaken in the second half, but instead, they started playing stronger.
At moments during the game, the Bulls demonstrated excellent clinical finishing, but they also allowed episodes of clumsy play. An example of good play was the first touchdown scored two minutes after the start of the match. After the referee awarded a penalty near the center of the field, it was clear that a seven-point equivalent would follow. Hendre Pollard executed the kick into the corner, the touchline was cleared cleanly, and Marcell Coetzee threw the ball after a precise maul.
Luan Guillaume was in his second match at fullback and showed that his play involved more than just elusive running. His passing game was exceptional. One of his kicks from the 22-meter line into the Ulster 22 area led to the Bulls advancing toward the line, but the ball was stopped.
Ulster fought actively and got close to a try, but could not overcome the resolute defense at the try line. Then the Bulls moved the ball to the opposite end of the field, where Guillaume almost scored near the corner flag. The Bulls maintained possession, and when they had a free kick close to the line, a touchdown seemed inevitable, and Elrig Louw scored.
Despite effectiveness in certain areas, the Bulls missed several opportunities to score touchdowns, including a forward pass from Pollard to the unnoticed Chesville Joste. Flyhalf managed to compensate for this error with a brilliant kick from 50-22 meters, which created an attacking lineout in the Ulster 22 area. From this situation, it became clear which Bulls forward would score. It was captain Coetzee, who scored his second touchdown.
By the 40th minute, the Bulls were leading 21-0, but Ulster gained a decisive advantage through skillful backline play, which allowed winger Chay Mullins to break through to the line and score a timely try after a shot on goal.
The wind contributed to Ulster's success, and they scored the first points in the second half when flanker David McCann broke through after five minutes of pressure. The growing pressure on the Bulls was reflected in the decision to try and earn points from penalties. Pollard successfully increased the lead to 24-14.
The Bulls suddenly started conceding penalties, and the audacious Irish players scored again, using gifted possession and territory when winger Mullins slipped into the corner. Johan Akkerman looked stone-faced in the coaching zone. His team went from a 21-0 lead to needing to hold on to a 24-19 score.
The Bulls players probably felt Akkerman's anger, as they responded with clean phase play that led to a try by Johan Grobbelaar. However, Ulster immediately counterattacked when centre Stuart McCloskey broke through the uprights, leaving the Bulls in nervous last ten minutes. Kurwin Bosch, who replaced Pollard, took a penalty that added points.
Bulls - Touchdowns: Marcell Coetzee (2), Elrig Louw, Johan Grobbelaar. Conversions: Hendre Pollard (4). Penalties: Pollard, Kurwin Bosch.
Ulster - Touchdowns: Chay Mullins (2), David McCann, Stuart McCloskey. Conversions: Jack Murphy (3).