Johan Ackermann’s chargers dug deep to edge Edinburgh 19–17 in Scotland, sealing back-to-back away victories and stretching their growing confidence north of the equator. It followed last weekend’s gritty 26–24 Champions Cup win over Pau, a result that snapped a seven-match losing streak and booked their place in the Round of 16. Momentum, at last, is a thing again in blue.

This one was never going to be pretty. The Bulls went into the break 17–5 down after being outmuscled and outmanoeuvred for large periods of the first half, while Edinburgh looked set to protect their flawless home record this season.

"Things are turning for us to positive" ???

Johan Grobbelaar shares his reaction following an important away win for the Vodacom Bulls ?? pic.twitter.com/renILIgLOT

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The hosts struck first when Duhan van der Merwe, the South African-born Scottish powerhouse, muscled his way through two defenders to score out wide. The Bulls hit back almost immediately through Marcel Coetzee off a driving maul, but missed kicks and mounting pressure kept them on the back foot.

Edinburgh’s forwards began to impose themselves, with Pierre Schoeman finishing strongly in the corner before D’Arcy Rae crashed over under the posts. At that stage, the Bulls were staring down the barrel.

But if there is one thing this side does well, it’s mauling – and they leaned heavily on that strength after the restart. 

Johan Grobbelaar peeled off the back of another thunderous drive to score, with Handré Pollard producing a classy touchline conversion to breathe life into the contest.

From there, the Bulls found their composure. They slowed the game down, squeezed the breakdown and starved Edinburgh of momentum. A worrying stoppage followed when Sebastian de Klerk was stretchered off with a suspected neck injury, but the visitors refused to lose focus.

The decisive moment came just after the hour mark. Spotting tired defenders, the Bulls went quickly from a tap, and Marco van Staden powered over to give them a 19–17 lead, Pollard again was ice-cool off the tee.

Edinburgh threw everything at the Bulls in the dying minutes, but the defence held firm. It wasn’t flashy, but it was gutsy, controlled, and hugely significant. For a Bulls side desperate to believe again, this win may prove priceless.

Meanwhile, over in Wales, the Ospreys and Lions played to a 24-24 draw in Bridgend.

Scorers:

Edinburgh: Tries – Duhan van der Merwe, Pierre Schoeman, D’Arcy Rae Conv. - Ross Thompson

Bulls: Tries – Marcel Coetzee, Johan Grobbelaar, Marco van Staden Conv. - Handré Pollard
Conv. - Pollard 2

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg