In a riveting semi-final showdown at Loftus Versfeld, the Vodacom Bulls edged out Leinster 25-20, advancing to their second Vodacom United Rugby Championship final in three years.
Sergeal Petersen’s twin tries and a stellar performance by Johan Goosen, who racked up 15 points, propelled the Bulls to a hard-earned victory.
Despite a valiant effort from Leinster, featuring tries by James Lowe and Caelan Doris, their quest for a ninth URC title and their first trophy since 2021 fell short.
The match commenced with intense defensive and offensive plays, yet no points were scored initially. The Bulls dominated the kicking game, with early scoring opportunities for Petersen and Devon Williams.
An exciting moment came when Willie Le Roux’s quick handling almost resulted in a try by Williams, but it was nullified due to an off-the-ball incident involving Bulls’ flanker Marco van Staden.
The dynamics shifted when Petersen received a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on. Leinster capitalized on the numerical advantage as Byrne’s pass enabled Lowe to score in the corner, followed by a successful conversion.
Undeterred, the Bulls responded robustly even with a man down. Goosen sliced through Leinster’s defense after a pass from Embrose Papier, leveling the score with his conversion.
Upon regaining their full squad, the Bulls exerted pressure, particularly troubling the Leinster scrum. Goosen’s penalty gave the Bulls a slight lead at halftime.
Early in the second half, Harold Worster’s skillful kick was capitalized on by Petersen, extending the Bulls’ lead. However, Leinster quickly countered with Doris bulldozing over the line after declining a penalty kick, Byrne leveling the scores shortly after.
The match remained tightly contested with Goosen and Byrne exchanging penalties. The decisive moment came when Petersen intercepted a kick from Papier, outpacing Leinster’s replacement Ciaran Frawley to secure the win in a thrilling finale.
Cameron Hanekom was named the Vodacom Man of the Match for his dynamic contribution in both defense and attack, highlighted by a memorable tackle on Doris.
The Play of the Match was awarded for a sequence initiated by Worster’s precise grubber kick, leading to Petersen’s critical try, showcasing the Bulls’ tactical acumen in the crucial moments of the game.
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