Their reward is a mouthwatering clash against Leinster in Dublin after the Irish giants ended the Stormers’ campaign with a 20-11 victory at the Aviva Stadium.

For the Bulls, the victory was about more than simply reaching another final. It was sweet revenge against the Glasgow side that broke their hearts in the 2024 decider at Loftus Versfeld and further cemented their reputation as one of the competition’s most resilient teams.

Harold Vorster. Photo: Bulls

The visitors endured a disastrous start at Murrayfield. Handré Pollard opened the scoring with an early penalty, but the match turned on its head when the Springbok flyhalf was shown a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on.

Glasgow immediately capitalised on their numerical advantage. Captain Kyle Steyn crossed for two tries in the space of four minutes as the hosts attacked with pace and precision. Dan Lancaster converted both scores to give the defending champions a commanding 14-3 lead.

Things went from bad to worse for the Bulls when sustained pressure near their tryline resulted in a penalty try for Glasgow. Bulls captain Ruan Nortjé was also sent to the sin bin, leaving the South Africans reeling at 21-3 after just 24 minutes.

With the match threatening to slip away, the Bulls finally found some momentum before halftime. After a prolonged spell inside the Glasgow 22, hooker Johan Grobbelaar crashed over from close range following a series of powerful forward drives. Pollard added the conversion to reduce the deficit to 21-10 at the break.

What followed after halftime was a remarkable transformation.

The Bulls emerged with renewed energy and intent, taking control of territory and possession. Their comeback began when URC Player of the Season Embrose Papier spotted a gap around the fringes and darted over for a crucial try that stunned the home crowd.

The momentum had shifted completely, and Glasgow suddenly found themselves under immense pressure.

Embrose Papier. Photo: Bulls

The decisive moment arrived when tighthead prop Francois Klopper powered his way over the line beneath the posts. Pollard calmly slotted the conversion as the Bulls edged ahead 22-21.

From there, the South Africans defended with courage and composure, holding out through a tense finish to secure a memorable victory and a place in next week’s final.

Earlier in Dublin, the Stormers saw their hopes of reaching another URC final ended by a disciplined Leinster side that took advantage of costly errors and a string of cards.

Rieko Ioane. Photo: Leinster

The hosts struck first when All Blacks centre Rieko Ioane burst through for an early try, converted by Sam Prendergast. Leinster continued to pile on the pressure, and two Prendergast penalties stretched their lead to 13-0 after 23 minutes as the Stormers struggled to gain a foothold.

The visitors eventually found a way back into the contest. Lock Adré Smith crashed over from close range after one of the Stormers’ few meaningful attacks of the half, while flyhalf Jurie Matthee later added a penalty to trim the deficit to 13-8 before the break.

John Dobson’s side showed plenty of grit, repeatedly repelling Leinster attacks near their tryline to stay within touching distance.

Matthee narrowed the gap even further early in the second half after the Stormers earned a penalty from a dominant scrum, making it a two-point game and setting up a tense finish. However, discipline proved decisive.

Wing Leolin Zas was yellow-carded for a deliberate knock-on, before replacement loose forward Ruan Ackermann received a yellow card that was later upgraded to a red for a dangerous clean-out. 

Springbok captain Salmaan Moerat was also sent to the sin bin in a controversial decision that left the visitors battling with reduced numbers.

Jamison Gibson-Park. Photo: Leinster

Leinster made the most of the opportunity. Scrumhalf Jamison Gibson-Park darted through a fractured Stormers defence to score under the posts, with Harry Byrne adding the conversion to put the result beyond doubt.

The victory secured Leinster a home final, where they will host a Bulls side full of confidence after one of the most dramatic semi-final comebacks in URC history. With silverware on the line and two of the competition’s heavyweight teams set to collide, Dublin is primed for a fitting championship decider.

Scorers:

Glasgow Warriors: Tries – Kyle Steyn 2, Penalty Try Conv. – Dan Lancaster 2

Bulls: Tries – Johan Grobbelaar, Embrose Papier, Francois Klopper Conv. – Handré Pollard 2 Pen. – Pollard

Leinster:  Tries – Rieko Ioane, Jamison Gibson-Park Conv. – Sam Prendergast, Harry Byrne Pen. – Prendergast 2

Stormers:  Tries – Adré Smith Pen. – Jurie Matthee 2

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg