Bulls down Sharks to book URC final date with Leinster
The Bulls and Leinster will face off in the URC Grand Final at Croke Park next week in a battle between raw power and polished precision.
First half recap: Bulls start strong
The Bulls stormed out of the gates at Loftus Versfeld, taking early control of the semi-final with sharp attacking execution. Sebastian de Klerk crossed in the seventh minute after a break from Embrose Papier, before Canan Moodie latched onto a cross-kick to make it 12-0. While Jordan Hendrikse got the Sharks on the board with a penalty, discipline issues plagued both sides. Harold Vorster received the first of three Bulls yellow cards, but Johan Goosen extended the lead to 15-3 with a penalty before halftime.
The half closed in chaos as the Bulls were twice reduced to 13 men, first with Cameron Hanekom's dangerous tackle and then a yellow card for Marcell Coetzee. Despite the numerical disadvantage, the Bulls' defence held firm, repelling multiple Sharks attacks inside their 22. Missed goal kicks and handling errors cost the Durban side dearly, as they failed to capitalise on their dominance in territory and possession.
Second half recap: Sharks find their bite, but Bulls hold on
The Sharks found a spark after the break, finally making their numbers count. Makazole Mapimpi scored four minutes into the second half, followed soon after by Ethan Hooker, closing the gap to just two points at 15-13. But missed conversions from both tries continued to hurt their chances, as pressure mounted in front of the 47,000-strong Loftus crowd.
The Bulls regained their composure, with Keagan Johannes slotting a penalty to create breathing room. Their third and final try came through David Kriel, capping a slick move that began with a Papier break and ended with Cobus Wiese's pass out wide. At 25-13, the Bulls shut the door on any Sharks comeback and booked their place in the Vodacom URC Grand Final for the third time in four seasons.
The Bulls will take on Leinster in the 2025 URC Grand Final at Dublin's iconic Croke Park on Saturday. It will be the first final hosted outside South Africa, since the inception of the tournament in its current form.
It's a showdown between the tournament's top two seeds, with the Bulls chasing their first title and Leinster looking to end their recent playoff drought. The Pretoria side arrives battle-tested after a gritty semi-final win over the Sharks, while Leinster were clinical in dispatching Glasgow. With contrasting styles and a title on the line, this final promises a fierce contest of physicality, flair, and tactical precision.
WHO WILL WIN THE FINAL: THE BULLS OR LEINSTER?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211.
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