LEINSTER OR ULSTER will travel to South Africa for a semi-final next week after the Bulls held off a stern challenge from Benetton to win their URC quarter-final 30-23 at Loftus Versfeld.
The Irish provinces meet at 5pm at the Aviva Stadium, where the winners will earn a trip to Pretoria to face Jake White’s second seeds at altitude.
The Bulls and Treviso outfit Benetton split six tries in an entertaining last-eight clash on the Highveld, with the Italians always remaining in touch despite finding themselves in an ominous-looking 14-3 hole after 20 minutes.
Springbok wing Kurt-Lee Arendse put the Bulls firmly in the ascendancy with two early tries, both of which were converted by Johan Goosen. Between those scores, South African Rhyno Smith had tacked on three points for Benetton, who also saw a try disallowed moments before Arendse added his second.
Marco Bortolami’s men wouldn’t be dissuaded, however, and Onisi Ratave’s unconverted try just after the half-hour mark brought the deficit back to six points.
Goosen and Smith exchanged penalties on either side of half-time before the Bulls out-half stretched the hosts’ lead to 20-11 from the tee on 51 minutes.
Tomas Albornoz crossed six minutes later, with Smith adding the afters, to leave Bulls fans twitching as the game entered the final quarter.
David Kriel’s converted score just after the hour mark seemed like the moment from which the Bulls would kick for home, but Malakai Fekitoa’s 67th-minute try forced a nervy finish which was eased slightly by a Goosen penalty that stretched the hosts’ lead to seven.
It remained as such until the full-time whistle as the Bulls withstood a final, spirited attack from their visitors, eventually forcing a knock-on by Ignacio Brex and negotiating their way to the finish.
Feel sorry for Benetton. They were by far the better team, played some lovely attacking Rugby, missed a few chances and were up against Adamson’s strange decision-making which undoubtedly favored the Bulls. Unless the Bulls raise their game significantly or Ulster for that matter Leinster won’t be troubled by them even at home.
Based on the comments here I must have missed the news of Ulster’s forfeit of the game to Leinster that was due to start at 5pm today.
@Joe O’Regan: in fairness Ulster were putting up a fair fight until the Izuchikwu (excuse spelling) went off injured. What a player that fella is BTW. Should be capped in SA this summer if not injured – fingers crossed
Benetton unlucky , they butchered a few try opportunities
@Owen ODonoghue: True, Benneton are a very decent side. Far better than people give them credit for. Leinster won’t get it easy down there next Saturday however.
@Owen ODonoghue: that big Fijian Ratave is a real handful on the wing. Garbisi and menonchello were brilliant too ..bulls defense out wide shocking..they also look unfit …they will need a massive improvement on that for the challenge against Ulster/Leinster next week or they will get hammered ..
@Stuart: if Bulls play like that v Leinster next week, the score could get quite ugly. I think we’ll see a big improvement and possibly a full stadium?
@Michael Corkery: I think the Bulls will go all out in the Semi, bigger crowd too. They were lethargic at times although credit to Bennetton who made them work
@Michael Corkery: probably the same size crowd as in the Aviva today but Loftus should be packed next week with Ireland’s precursor trip to Loftus for the summer series :)..but yes expect bulls to step up big time next week ..
@Stuart: disappointing crowd in Aviva for a KO match involving 2 Irish sides. Looking forward to next weeks match alright. I can imagine Bulls will be hyper motivated for it. Probably they were a bit complacent today which against a very decent Benetton side
The Bulls focus was on next week rather than the team they played today. They’ll be ten times better for the semi.
The 42 are going all out push commenters to subscribe, but the quality of journalism isn’t worth it. They need to either be good enough to attract advertisers or give up.