The Bulls recovered during the second half of their quarter-final, scoring six tries against Edinburgh’s five.
The Bulls recovered from an error-strewn first half to hold onto their perfect record against Edinburgh at Loftus (three out of three) and knock them out of the United Rugby Championship in the quarter-finals.
The Bulls won 42–33 on Saturday to progress into the semi-finals next weekend thanks to six tries to Edinburgh’s five.
Edinburgh scored three of their tries in the first half, capitalising on a Sebastian de Klerk yellow card and missed opportunities from the Pretoria side. But they could not follow their 21–18 lead at the break, as the Bulls scored three unanswered tries early in the second half to arm-wrestle momentum back.
This means the Bulls will play against either the Sharks or Munster next weekend, while the Bulls and Edinburgh are tied 3–3 head-to-head with each side taking the honours at home.
Bulls director of rugby Jake White will feel especially happy with the win against his former understudy, Sean Everitt, after the Bulls narrowly lost their Challenge Cup quarter-final against Edinburgh last month.
During the URC quarter-final, Bulls winger Canan Moodie wore the number 24 jersey instead of 14, in honour of the late Cornal Hendricks.
Edinburgh get an early start
Edinburgh snatched momentum early on after Bulls winger Sebastian de Klerk received a yellow card in the second minute for tackling a player off the ball. It allowed Edinburgh an easy 22 entry and an overlap try from South African-born Wes Goosen two minutes later.
The Bulls put their first points on the board after a tricky penalty kick (taken by Keagan Johannes) after Edinburgh took a man out in the lineout. But Edinburgh came back immediately afterwards with a try from their own flyhalf, Ross Thompson.
The Bulls responded, bringing the crowd back to life just before the end of the first quarter with a try from No 8 Cameron Hanekom, running around defenders after a 5m lineout.
Edinburgh extended their lead to 13 points with another converted try from Thompson in the 28th minute.
But Kriel reduced that lead, finishing the move after a beautiful line break by Willie le Roux, before Harold Vorster cut it down even further with a try next to the touchline in the 34th minute. David Kriel, given postal duties after Johannes failed to slot the first two conversions, missed the conversion as well. 21–18 at half-time.
Bulls turn the game on its head
The Bulls had a perfect start to the second half, Canan Moodie scoring on the sideline to give the Pretoria side the lead for the first time. This was followed by tries from Johannes and Ruan Nortje.
These were all converted by Johannes to make it 39–21 and turn the game on its head by the 52nd minute.
The Scottish side responded with a converted try from hooker Ewan Ashman while JF van Heerden received a yellow card. A Johannes penalty a minute helped the Bulls, but Edinburgh reduced their deficit with try from Goosen. 42–33 to the Bulls going into the final 15 minutes.
A Thompson yellow card made it difficult for Edinburgh to find momentum again and they could not win possesssion at the end.
Scorers
Bulls: Tries– Cameron Hanekom, David Kriel, Harold Vorster, Canan Moodie, Keagan Johannes, Ruan Nortje. Conversions – Keagan Johannes 3/5, David Kriel 0/1. Penalties – Johannes 2/2. Drop-goals – .
Edinburgh: Tries – Wes Goosen (2), Ross Thompson (2), Ewan Ashman. Conversions – Ross Thompson 4/4, Mark Bennett 0/1. Penalties – . Drop-goals – .
