Success for Lions and Bulls at United Rugby Championship

There was success for the Lions and the Bulls as South African teams made their first appearances in the new season of the United Rugby Championship.

In Johannesburg, the Lions brushed aside Ulster 35-22, while in Pretoria, the Bulls were made to sweat against Edinburgh, eventually winning out 22-16.

FULL TIME 🔥🏆#ForeverBlue | #ComeHome pic.twitter.com/jxcbObR2w8

— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) September 28, 2024

Narrowly losing the Currie Cup last weekend had not taken the spring out of the Lions’ step, as they began their URC campaign with a big win at home.

Rabs Maxwane scored early in the game, in a try typical of the Lions’ style of play.

The Joburg side also kept the ball amongst the forwards and scored a few tries from mauls. But when it was time to turn on the style, Henco van Wyk, was there to score after Quan Horn beat no less than five defenders.

New acquisition from the Sharks, Werner Kok, scored for Ulster and the visitors would eventually come away with a four-try bonus point. Kade Wolhuter finished off the scoring for the Lions, they had five tries on the day for the 35-22 victory.

𝗙𝗨𝗟𝗟 𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘 | 🦁35 – 22 🔴⚪️
FOR OUR CITY.
Thank you, @UlsterRugby for a great spectacle of rugby today, best of luck for the rest of your tour in South Africa#LIOvULS@Vodacom #URC | #HitsDifferent
#LionsPride🦁 pic.twitter.com/5dJOpcfSQt

— Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) September 28, 2024

It took until the half-hour mark for the Bulls to get on the board against Edinburgh at Loftus Versfeld.

Edinburgh lost narrowly to Leister in round one and were looking to make amends for that against the twice URC finalists, the Bulls. At halftime the visitors were breathing down the neck of the Bulls, trailing 10-12.

Edinburgh took the lead in the second half, as they looked to make life very difficult for the Pretoria side.

The Bulls wrestled back the lead with some quick thinking, as Springbok Canan Moodie dotted down. They kept control of the match from then on and took the 22-16 victory.