Ulster beat the Bulls 32 – 23. Photo: Twitter.
It is currently clear that the Bulls desperately want to win a rugby match, but the team is not getting it right at all.
The Pretorians suffered their umpteenth defeat in a row when Ulster beat them 32 – 23 at the Kingspan Stadium.
The result means they are now seventh in the United Rugby Championship standings, while the third-placed Irish club are breathing down the Stormers’ necks.
Usually one’s eyebrows are raised when the Bulls complain about refereeing decisions, but this time the television referee, John Mason, did indeed have an influence on the game.
He often stopped the game to point out some obscure incident and this often cost the Pretorians dearly; whether through a controversial penalty kick, three or yellow card.
Yes-no, if you are in a rugby hole, there are so many things that count against you.
However, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Canan Moodie provided a definite spark and the two Springbok wings combined excellently to score the Bulls’ first try.
Stick this Vodacom @BlueBullsRugby try on repeat ???? #BKTURC #URC | #ULSvBUL pic.twitter.com/3ZGw3VPoDg
— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) March 25, 2023
At half-time, the visitors enjoyed an unexpected lead of 20 – 12 and they certainly started to look like the Pretoria team of old.
But Ulster started to score, the penalties started to accumulate and before you could wipe your eyes, the Bulls lost another game.
Tom Stewart scored three tries for Ulster after the home side put in an excellent use of their rolling movement, while Duane Vermeulen firmly held the Irish captain’s reins.
The Springbok veteran made his presence known at the break-down points, while his leadership also benefited his players.
Just a shame he’s doing it for the wrong team, Bulls fans will grumble.
Leinster: Tries: Tom Stewart (3) and Robert Baloucoune. Goals: Nathan Doak (3). Penalties: Doak and John Cooney.
Bulls: Tries: Kurt-Lee Arendse and Zak Burger. Goals: Chris Smith (2). Penalties: Smith (3).
Duane Vermeulen leads Ulster out against his former side ????
???? Stream Vodacom #URC live: https://t.co/0BMWdeFwIB pic.twitter.com/7rO2Js0GsO
— SuperSport ???? (@SuperSportTV) March 25, 2023
- Leinster: 74 points
- Stormers: 61 points
- Ulster: 59 points
- Glasgow Warriors: 54 points
- Munster: 48 points
- Connacht: 44 points
- Bulls: 43 points
- Sharks: 41 points
- Benetton: 40 points
- Cardiff: 39 points
- Lions: 38 points
- Ospreys: 35 points
- Scarlets: 33 points
- Edinburgh: 33 points
- Dragons: 19 points
- Zebra: 10 points.
