Bulls pull off their 'sporting miracle' to beat Leinster

They weren’t given a chance. They were destined to fail. But the Vodacom Bulls turned the script on its head as they caused the biggest upset in this year’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship to beat powerhouse Irish side Leinster 27-26 in an epic semifinal at the RDS Stadium in Dublin on Friday night.

In a contest where they outmuscled and outscored the four time European Champions, the Bulls became the first South African side to win in Ireland in the URC and condemned Leinster to something they aren’t used to - a season without any silverware.

The defeat to La Rochelle was a seismic movement in European rugby. But in terms of a new competition that struggled through Covid disruptions and travel bans to find its feet, this was off the Richter scale.

??? "I didn't expect it. This is one of the best wins for a Bulls team!"

Bobes, Victor and Schalk reflect on an epic night for Jake White and his players in the Vodacom #URC ?? pic.twitter.com/BIna6Eo41E

— SuperSport ?? (@SuperSportTV) June 10, 2022

For once, at the RDS Stadium where so many had failed over the years, the Bulls outworked their opponents. For whatever Leinster threw at them - and they did throw everything at them - there was no retreat. There was no going backwards and unlike Glasgow Warriors last week at the same venue, there was no surrender.

And where so many teams had fallen for Leinster’s brand of swamp and conquer, the Bulls held out.

The victory is on par with those massive wins more than a decade ago. Leinster are the benchmark - especially in the URC and definitely in Europe.

While this win was built on bravery and determination, it also showed that South African sides have nothing to fear in entering the Champions’ Cup next season. When they get it right they can beat the best.

There were so many heroes on a night of glory. From the workhorses in Ruan Nortje, Arno Botha and Walt Steenkamp to the mercurial Johan Grobbelaar, who played himself into the man of the match role with several turnovers.

At the back, it was Canan Moodie who stood tall under the pressure, and a midfield that was solid against the Ireland test duo.

Playing against a virtual test side, the Bulls played test match rugby and came out on tops.

It was evident early on, even when a kick through was bungled by Moodie and Dan Kriel through the bounce and saw Dan Sheehan burgle a try.

BULLS' DEFENCE WITHSTAND THE PRESSURE

Where so many other sides simply laid down and waited for Leinster’s wrath, the Bulls fought back.

There were 10 phases on their own line that they held out and won a turnover. They stole two lineout balls during the game on their own line when the pressure was as thick as it could be.

And no matter how close Leinster got, the Bulls won the moments that mattered. And in the process recorded the ‘sporting miracle’ that White had spoke about this week.

Even when things went wrong - Moodie losing the ball over the line as he was supposed to score the opening try - they didn’t panic. The penalty that restarted play was a pick and go, but Elrigh Louw switched to Grobbelaar and the hooker found little resistance as he crashed over to score.

The home crowd was stunned shortly afterwards when the Bulls made their way downfield and Marcell Coetzee found space by running directly to score.

Leinster struck back through Robbie Henshaw on the half hour mark through some excellent tactical play, but it was clear the home side weren’t at their best despite keeping the scoreline to three points at the break.

The big shift came early in the second half when the Bulls got their rolling maul going and made metres upfield. One such maul was rumbling towards the tryline but was pulled down by James Hume and referee Andrea Piardi had no option but to award a penalty try.

It would be difficult to stop Leinster for most of the game, as they dominated territory and possession thereafter, and finally they had a perfect lineout, watched Garry Ringrose put a beautiful inside pass in the midfield and Rory O’Loughlin had an easy run-in at the corner.

Johnny Sexton missed the conversion and the five point lead was extended shortly afterwards when Morne Steyn kicked a penalty over in the 76th minute to put the Bulls eight points clear.

And they held out. Under the greatest of pressure, they didn’t let up. And even though Leinster scored through Cian Healy well into injury time to make it look closer than it was, the Bull's defence had won the night for them.

It was a night that they stunned Leinster with a power game and won away from home.

There will be few after that performance that will write them off again in the final.

??? "I was very proud of the way we defended!"

Jake White reflects on his side beating Leinster to qualify for the Vodacom #URC final.

— SuperSport ?? (@SuperSportTV) June 10, 2022

SCORERS

Leinster 26 - tries: Dan Sheehan, Robbie Henshaw, Rory O’Loughlin, Cian Healy. Conversions: Ross Byrne (2), Johnny Sexton.

Vodacom Bulls 27 - penalty try, Johan Grobbelaar, Marcell Coetzee. Conversions: Chris Smith (3). Penalties: Smith, Morne Steyn.