Bok-boosted Bulls brought down to earth as Ulster power to emphatic win in Belfast

THE VODACOM Bulls’ unbeaten run in the United Rugby Championship came to an abrupt end in Belfast, where Ulster powered to a commanding 28-7 victory in the hosts’ opening home fixture of the season.

The defeat was the Bulls’ first of the campaign after their strong start against Ospreys and Leinster in Pretoria.

Big names, quiet impact

Jake White’s side arrived in Belfast stacked with World Cup-winning experience. Handre Pollard, Canan Moodie, Willie le Roux, and Marco van Staden all returned to the starting line-up, bringing a star-studded edge to the touring squad.

But the Springbok contingent failed to fire, as Ulster’s ferocious work rate and defensive organisation stifled any rhythm the visitors tried to build.

The opening exchanges were described as cagey and error-strewn, with neither side able to assert control. Ulster broke the deadlock after 22 minutes when centre Stuart McCloskey pounced on a loose Bulls pass along the backline, kicking ahead to score under the posts. Scrumhalf Nathan Doak, later named Man of the Match, slotted the conversion for a 7-0 lead.

The Bulls hit back after Ulster hooker Rob Herring was shown a yellow card for repeated infringements. Taking advantage of the extra man, tighthead prop Wilco Louw powered over from close range following a quick tap. Pollard added the conversion to level the scores at 7-7 – which is how it stayed until half-time.

Louw was a rare bright spot among the returning Springboks, described as his usual destructive self early on as he imposed himself at scrum time.

Collapse after the break

The second half told a completely different story. No 8 Jeandré Rudolph’s yellow card for cynical play opened the door for Ulster to wrest control. Opting for a tap penalty near the line, former Stormers forward Juarno Augustus forced his way over to restore Ulster’s lead.

From there, the home side surged ahead in every department – execution, physicality, and composure – while the Bulls struggled to find any response.

During Rudolph’s time in the sin bin, Ulster ran in 21 unanswered points. Herring, returning from his earlier yellow card, and lock Cormac Izuchukwu added further tries to seal the bonus-point win. Izuchukwu’s score came from a sweeping move that began with a Bulls turnover deep in their own territory.

‘A massive step forward’

Ulster’s triumph was built on fierce defensive resolve and relentless forward intensity. Head coach Richie Murphy praised his team’s resilience and collective effort.

“I was absolutely blown away by the lads’ commitment and their work ethic, their grit to stay in the fight,” Murphy said.

He highlighted their defensive heroics as a turning point: “A couple of times, some of the goal-line sets – one in the first half, a couple in the second half – were just unbelievable. No one really stops the Bulls when they get in there, so to be able to do that is a massive step forward for us.”

Murphy also credited his forwards for matching the Bulls’ heavyweight pack in the scrums. “The scrum battle was huge,” he said.

Bulls’ struggles exposed

In contrast, the Bulls’ second-half performance fell apart. Their set piece faltered, handling errors multiplied, and their tactical control evaporated. Despite Pollard’s presence at flyhalf, they never looked like staging a comeback.

They were described as unrecognisable, with their game management faltering under sustained pressure. The visitors’ defensive line repeatedly folded under Ulster’s direct carries, and their attack offered few solutions.

Ulster’s victory was underpinned by key individual displays. Augustus was a dominant presence in only his second outing for the province, combining power and work rate in a standout performance.

Doak’s control at scrumhalf was exceptional as he converted all four tries and dictated tempo throughout. Full-back Jacob Stockdale also impressed with his attacking intent, keeping the Bulls’ defence on edge and exploiting space with clever running lines.

Ulster’s emphatic bonus-point win sends them to South Africa with renewed confidence for back-to-back matches against the Sharks and Lions.

The Bulls, meanwhile, will look to regroup ahead of their next tour fixture against Connacht in Galway – a match that suddenly carries extra weight after their Belfast wake-up call.