Bulls collapse in second half as Bordeaux secure Loftus win
MATCH REPORT: The reigning Champions Cup holders, Union Bordeaux-Bègles opened their title defence with a 46-33 victory over the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
*To recap all the action: CLICK HERE!!!
In a pulsating round-one clash, the French champions outscored the Bulls seven tries to five in what quickly turned into a free-flowing, end-to-end spectacle.
The Bulls looked in control at halftime, leading 33-22 after five tries, with Springbok Handré Pollard kicking four conversions.
However, it all went pear-shaped in the second half. As the Bulls copped back-to-back yellow cards.
While for the visitors, everything went right as they produced an incredible comeback, scoring four unanswered tries.
Les Bleus star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey bagged a brace of tries.
Just under three minutes into the match, Damian Penaud opened the scoring as he dotted down for the first try, with Matthieu Jalibert adding the extras for a 7-0 lead.
The Bulls hit back just short of 10 minutes when sustained pressure on Bordeaux-Bègles paid off. Sebastian de Klerk finished in the corner, and Handré Pollard’s conversion levelled matters at 7-7.
But the French side responded immediately, capitalising on a Bulls mistake from the restart. The hosts spilt the ball and the defending champions pounced, launching an attack in which Jalibert drew in defenders before try-scoring sensation Louis Bielle-Biarrey found space out wide to restore the lead at 14-7.
The Bulls then suffered a setback as Springbok flanker Marco van Staden left the field with what appeared to be a knee injury.
It was a fiercely contested encounter, with both sides trading blows. Reinhardt Ludwig powered over to keep the Bulls in touch, while Maxime Lamothe muscled his way through to hand Bordeaux a 19-14 advantage.
The attacking flair on display was exceptional, and a brilliant offload from Pollard put Akker van der Merwe over for the try. Pollard converted to edge the Bulls ahead 21-19.
Jalibert’s penalty nudged the visitors back in front, but the Bulls responded once more. Pollard’s long pass found Canan Moodie, who produced a moment of trademark brilliance to beat multiple defenders and score.
The Bulls extended their lead just before halftime when crisp interplay created space for Jeandre Rudolph, who charged under the posts. Pollard’s conversion made it 33-22 at the break.
The second half started at the same frenetic pace. David Kriel was shown a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on, but Bordeaux struggled to capitalise on the numerical advantage.
Eventually, the breakthrough came when Salesi Rayasi made ground before linking up with Penaud, allowing Boris Palu to touch down for the much-needed try. Another Bulls yellow card, this time for Pollard’s failed intercept attempt, handed Bordeaux further momentum.
The visitors pressed home their advantage. A dominant scrum and slick interplay allowed Bielle-Biarrey to complete his brace, with Maxime Lucu’s conversion putting Bordeaux ahead 34-33.
In the closing minutes, Bordeaux finished strongly. After a powerful maul in the corner, the ball was shifted to the backline, with Penaud and Jalibert linking up for the flyhalf to score under the posts. Rayasi also dotted down for a five-pointer, sealing the comprehensive 46-33 win.
Player of the Match: There were a lot of standouts, but our nod goes to Boris Palu. The lock made strong carries and also scored a try.
The scorers:
For Bulls:
Tries: De Klerk, Ludwig, Van der Merwe, Moodie, Rudolf
Cons: Pollard 4
For Bordeaux-Begles:
Tries: Penaud, Bielle-Biarrey 2, Lamothe, Palu, Jalibert, Rayasi
Cons: Jalibert 2, Lucu 2
Pen: Jalibert
Yellow cards: David Kriel (Bulls, 41- knock on), Handre Pollard (Bulls, 51 – knock on
Teams:
Bulls: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 David Kriel, 12 Harold Voster, 11 Sebastian de Klerk, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Marcell Coetzee (Captain), 7 Reinhardt Ludwig, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Alulutho Tshakweni.
Replacements: 16 Johann Grobberlaar, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Ruan Nortje, 20 Elrigh Louw, 21 Jeandre Rudolf, 22 Embrose Papier, 23 Stravino Jacobs
Bordeaux-Begles: 15 Romain Buros, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Nicolas Depoortere, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Matthieu Jalibert, 9 Maxime Lucu (captain), 8 Temo Matiu, 7 Cameron Woki, 6 Bastien Vergnes-Taillefer, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Boris Palu, 3 Carlü Sadie, 2 Maxime Lamothe, 1 Jefferson Poirot
Replacements: 16 Gaetan Barlot, 17 Matis Perchaud, 18 Ben Tameifuna, 19 Jonny Gray, 20 Tiaan Jacobs, 21 Arthur Retiere, 22 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 23 Salesi Rayasi
Referee: Karl Dickson (England)
Assistant Referees: Luke Pearce (England), Joe James (England)
TMO: Ian Tempest (England)
