An intercept try three minutes from time by Bulls captain David Kriel secured the win for the hosts and handed Leinster their second defeat in the competition. The Bulls drew first blood within the first five minutes of the match thanks to a converted try by backline player Sebastian de Klerk. 

They scored another try just after the first quarter when Kriel went over the whitewash. Leinster reduced the deficit through a Sam Prendergast penalty after 20 minutes, and Thomas Clarkson scored on the half-hour mark for the visitors despite being a man down after Will Connors was yellow-carded.

Mpilo Gumede added a third Bulls try just before half-time to make it 22–10 at the interval. But Leinster came back strongly in the second half with converted tries from Hugh Cooney and Tommy O’Brien putting the visitors 24-22 ahead.

‘Bulls hit back with their fifth try’

Just before the hour, Willie le Roux started and finished an excellent counter-attacking try, but Scott Penny grabbed the lead back by going over from close range. Prendergast’s conversion made it 31–27 in favour of the visitors. 

But the Bulls hit back three minutes later with their fifth try, courtesy of Stravino Jacobs. Kriel’s conversion attempt drifted wide, leaving the hosts one point behind.

But the Bulls were not quite down, and Kriel’s intercepted try shortly before the final whistle sealed the victory. The Bulls will now travel to Ireland to face Ulster next Saturday. 

OFM Sport/Ilse Smalberger dg