Bulls hold off Ulster fightback for 34-26 win in Pretoria

The Bulls beat Ulster 34-26 in Pretoria on Saturday, surviving a second-half recovery before Curwin Bosch settled the contest with the final kick. BBC Sport reported that Ulster collected a four-try bonus point but missed out on a losing bonus point after Bosch stretched the margin to eight.

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Marcell Coetzee scored two of the hosts’ three first-half tries, with Elrigh Louw supplying the other as the Bulls built a 21-0 lead. According to The Irish Times, Handre Pollard converted all three before Chay Mullins gave Ulster a response just before the interval. Juarno Augustus made ground and Tom Stewart helped create the opening, with Jack Murphy’s conversion leaving Ulster 21-7 behind.

David McCann’s try and another Murphy conversion brought the visitors within seven points after the restart. Coetzee received a yellow card for head contact, but Ulster could not add to their score during his absence. Pollard instead kicked a penalty for the Bulls, ensuring that the home side increased their advantage while temporarily reduced to 14 players.

Mullins crossed again before Johan Grobbelaar answered almost immediately for the Bulls. The Irish Times reported that Stuart McCloskey’s converted try then cut the deficit to 31-26 with 10 minutes remaining. Ulster stayed in contention but could not find another score, and Bosch’s late penalty ended their challenge.

Bulls coach Johan Ackermann welcomed the victory while identifying discipline and execution as areas needing improvement. In comments reported by Eyewitness News, he said his team had conceded soft penalties and allowed Ulster back into the match. Ackermann also said Pollard had suffered a hamstring injury, but offered no firm recovery timetable, leaving the extent of that setback uncertain after the game.

For Ulster, the result extended their winless league start to four matches, comprising two draws and two defeats, according to BBC Sport. The broadcaster said they had not gone without a victory in their opening four league fixtures since 2008-09. Richie Murphy’s team did beat Zebre in the Challenge Cup last week, but their search for a first URC win continues against the Stormers on 31 October.