Rampaging Bulls dominate in Pretoria 

Rampaging Bulls dominate in Pretoria 

RESULT
Vodacom Bulls V Scarlets
18 MAR 2022 KO 19:00 | Loftus Versfeld
57
 
12
United Rugby Championship
Att.: 5346 BBC Wales
Head to Head
Vodacom Bulls Scarlets
WINS
2
1
LOSSES
1
2
DRAWS
0
0


A rampaging Vodacom Bulls side proved too strong for the Scarlets in a dominant 57-12 URC victory at Loftus Versfeld.

Dwayne Peel’s side failed to match the performance of Durban a week earlier and were swamped by nine tries in this rescheduled south v north clash in Pretoria.

The Scarlets would have been targeting another strong start against the in-form Bulls, but conceded a try inside two minutes, setting the tone for a contest that saw the home side play some exhilarating rugby.

After right wing Canan Moodie had crossed from a blindside scrum in the opening minutes, skipper Marcell Coetzee added a second from close range after just seven minutes.

Scarlets lost back-rower Aaron Shingler to injury shortly after and he was replaced by Sione Kalamafoni.

The experienced Tongan international could do little to prevent the blue wave surging forward in the opening quarter and back-rower Cyle Brink added a third before hooker Johan Grobbelar dived over for the bonus-point score.

With only half an hour on the clock outstanding second row Ruan Nortje crossed for try number five, but Scarlets did manage to pull a score back just before the interval.

A slick backline move found wing Ryan Conbeer out wide. He made it up to the whitewash, the ball was recycled quickly and Kalamfoni powered over from close range. Patchell converted to make it 31-7 at the break.

Facing a mountain to climb at the start of the second half, the Scarlets’ task became even more arduous when full-back Ioan Nicholas was yellow carded for an illegal challenge in the air.

The Bulls took full advantage courtesy of a 50-metre interception from Nortje followed by a contender for try-of-the-season, which started on the Bulls’ own line and was finished by hooker Grobbelaar for his second of the night.

Scarlets emptied their bench in an attempt to stem the tide and there were signs of promise from the likes of youngsters Archie Hughes, Sam Costelow and Joe Roberts, but the Bulls added two more tries in the final 10 minutes through Coetzee and replacement Robert Hunt.

The Scarlets did find a way through in the dying seconds - Rob Evans driving over after a break from replacement centre Roberts, but it was scant consolation after a tough night on the Highveldt.

RESULT
Vodacom Bulls V Scarlets
18 MAR 2022 KO 19:00 | Loftus Versfeld
57
 
12
United Rugby Championship
Att.: 5346 BBC Wales

SCORECARD
Vodacom BullsScarlets
Marcell Coetzee(2)
Cyle Brink
Johan Grobbelaar(2)
Ruan Nortje
Elrigh Louw
Robert Hunt
Canan Moodie
TRY Sione Kalamafoni
Rob Evans
Morné Steyn
Chris Smith(5)
CON Rhys Patchell
- PEN -
- DG -
- YC Ioan Nicholas
- YC -


Head to Head
Vodacom Bulls Scarlets
WINS
2
1
LOSSES
1
2
DRAWS
0
0


SCORECARD
Vodacom BullsScarlets
Marcell Coetzee(2)
Cyle Brink
Johan Grobbelaar(2)
Ruan Nortje
Elrigh Louw
Robert Hunt
Canan Moodie
TRY Sione Kalamafoni
Rob Evans
Morné Steyn
Chris Smith(5)
CON Rhys Patchell
- PEN -
- DG -
- YC Ioan Nicholas
- YC -




A rampaging Vodacom Bulls side proved too strong for the Scarlets in a dominant 57-12 URC victory at Loftus Versfeld.

Dwayne Peel’s side failed to match the performance of Durban a week earlier and were swamped by nine tries in this rescheduled south v north clash in Pretoria.

The Scarlets would have been targeting another strong start against the in-form Bulls, but conceded a try inside two minutes, setting the tone for a contest that saw the home side play some exhilarating rugby.

After right wing Canan Moodie had crossed from a blindside scrum in the opening minutes, skipper Marcell Coetzee added a second from close range after just seven minutes.

Scarlets lost back-rower Aaron Shingler to injury shortly after and he was replaced by Sione Kalamafoni.

The experienced Tongan international could do little to prevent the blue wave surging forward in the opening quarter and back-rower Cyle Brink added a third before hooker Johan Grobbelar dived over for the bonus-point score.

With only half an hour on the clock outstanding second row Ruan Nortje crossed for try number five, but Scarlets did manage to pull a score back just before the interval.

A slick backline move found wing Ryan Conbeer out wide. He made it up to the whitewash, the ball was recycled quickly and Kalamfoni powered over from close range. Patchell converted to make it 31-7 at the break.

Facing a mountain to climb at the start of the second half, the Scarlets’ task became even more arduous when full-back Ioan Nicholas was yellow carded for an illegal challenge in the air.

The Bulls took full advantage courtesy of a 50-metre interception from Nortje followed by a contender for try-of-the-season, which started on the Bulls’ own line and was finished by hooker Grobbelaar for his second of the night.

Scarlets emptied their bench in an attempt to stem the tide and there were signs of promise from the likes of youngsters Archie Hughes, Sam Costelow and Joe Roberts, but the Bulls added two more tries in the final 10 minutes through Coetzee and replacement Robert Hunt.

The Scarlets did find a way through in the dying seconds - Rob Evans driving over after a break from replacement centre Roberts, but it was scant consolation after a tough night on the Highveldt.