Bulls overpower Leinster with six-try showing in 39-31 Loftus victory

The Bulls held on for a 39-31 United Rugby Championship victory over defending champions Leinster, outscoring them six tries to four in a nail-biting encounter at Loftus on Saturday night, and gaining some measure of revenge for last season’s finals defeat.

Leinster, who were smarting from their opening-round loss to the Stormers last weekend, started their second-round match brightly. 

But the Bulls soon settled, and a perfectly weighted Keagan Johannes cross-kick found Sebastian de Klerk in space on the right wing for the first try with less than five minutes played. Flyhalf Johannes kicked the conversion (7-0). 

They got their second when De Klerk punished a poor Leinster kick chase and beat a few defenders in midfield before setting up centre David Kriel to canter down the right wing and score in the 15th minute (12-0). 

Leinster were creating attacking chances but were let down by poor execution and silly errors. They were able to match the Bulls’ physicality, enjoying great success in disrupting their lineout, though. 

The defending champions finally got on the scoreboard via the boot of flyhalf Sam Prendergast in the 20th minute, but were reduced to 14 men not long after that.

The Bulls struggled to take advantage of their numerical superiority as the Irish side started to build the phases, forcing the home side onto the back foot. Forward Thomas Clarkson barged over for their first try, off a set play following a tap penalty (12-10).

A long-range Johannes penalty extended the Bulls’ lead to 15-10 with five minutes to go until half-time. An Mpilo Gumede five-pointer after the Bulls forwards had rumbled the ball up to the Leinster try line ensured the home side went into the break 22-10 up.  

The Irish side drew first blood not long after kickoff, sucking the Bulls’ defenders in with a succession of forward drives before Hugh Cooney scored out wide. They were 24-22 minutes later after they moved the ball smartly through the hands down the left for fullback Jimmy O’Brien to dot down.  

Leinster were pouncing on the mounting errors from the home team and turning the screws with quick counters and clever tactical kicks in behind. A knock-on just short of the line also denied them a fourth try.

The Bulls’ play was becoming increasingly ragged as they tried to stay in the contest with 55 minutes played and only two points in it. 

It took the introduction of Bok veteran Willie le Roux to turn the game on its head. His first meaningful involvement was  scoring the bonus-point try for the home team in the 58th minute to restore their lead (27-24).

The visitors hit back in the 66th minute after sustained pressure on the Bulls try line (31-27). 

But Le Roux once again showed his class, setting winger Stravino Jacobs up with another perfect cross-kick a couple of minutes later. It was a one-point ballgame with 10 minutes left to play.

When Kriel intercepted a Leinster pass and sprinted in for his second try in 79th minute, the victory was finally secured.  

Bulls  39 (22)
Tries: De Klerk, Kriel (2), Gumede, Le Roux, Jacobs; Conversions: Johannes (2), Kriel; Penalty: Johannes.

Leinster 31 (10)
Tries: Clarkson, Cooney, O’Brein, Mangan ; Conversions: Prendergast (4); Penalty: Sam Prendergast