Bulls end losing run following second-half surge

MATCH REPORT: The Bulls’ Champions Cup qualifying hopes received a massive boost following a brave second-half comeback to win 26-24 against Section Paloise after being down 12-21 at half-time.

The result ends a seven-match losing streak for the Pretoria-based side, who came into this clash under massive pressure.

The Bulls move up to fourth place in Pool 4 and will now wait with bated breath for the result between Scarlets and Northampton Saints on Sunday to see if they’ll progress to the Round of 16.

The injection of the Bulls bench made a massive difference with Jeandré Rudolph, who won two turnovers, including the match-winning steal and Nizaam Carr, who tackled like a machine (24 tackles), set the tone for a remarkable second-half comeback.

*To recap all the actions, CLICK HERE!

The Bulls opened the scoring through Mpilo Gumede following a strip in the tackle, with Akker van der Merwe swinging a long pass to the flanker to dive down in the corner four minutes into the clash. Pollard sliced the conversion attempt.

Pau put the Bulls to the test and went through multiple phases, but Johan Ackermann’s troops stood strong before conceding a penalty for not rolling away.

The hosts opted for the line-out and got their reward through Youri Derhommel in the 10th minute, converted by Clement Mondinat.

The Bulls struck back from a rolling maul after a breakaway by Akker van der Merwe in the 29th minute to reclaim the lead, which Pollard converted.

It took Pau three minutes to hit back and level the scores from a rolling maul following poor discipline by the Bulls through lock Jimi Maximin, with Thomas Souverbie adding the extras.

The Bulls’ ill-discipline continued to be an issue, allowing Pau easy metres into their red zone.

Bulls lock Reinhardt Ludwig was yellow-carded in the 39th minute for a cynical sack of Pau’s attacking maul, followed by another warning to the visitors for repeated offside infringements.

Pau rolled the dice once more and extended their lead on the stroke of half-time with a rolling maul try through Delhommel, who grabbed a brace converted by Souverbie to end the first half.

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Pau got onto the scoreboard first through a penalty in the 48th minute by Souverbie following offside play by the Bulls in the red zone, which put them back on a warning once more.

The Bulls closed the gap against the run of play following a breakout by Sebastian de Klerk, who got the ball to Willie le Roux.

The Test centurion kicked it ahead for Cheswill Jooste, who had the pace to collect and dot down in the 58th minute with Pollard adding the extras.

There will be an injury concern for Johan Ackermann after Van der Merwe went off injured in the 67th minute.

The Bulls kept the pressure on Pau in their red zone, and following a series of penalties, Thomas Laclayat was sent to the sinbin for an illegal sacking of the maul in the 69th minute.

The Bulls failed to convert from the quick tap penalty after being held up over the line, but won a penalty at the breakdown after the goal line drop-out.

The visitors made it count the second time around when Nizaam Carr picked and drove over the line in the 72nd minute to level the scores and secure the four-try bonus point before Pollard’s conversion got them back into the lead.

Zak Burger also left the field hobbling in the 74th minute.

Pau had a final surge with the ball in hand with seconds remaining and going into referee’s time working their way up to the Bulls’ five metre line, but Jeandré Rudolph came up with the big play to go over the ball and secure the match-winning victory to end their seven-game losing streak.

Player of the match: Nizaam Carr’s defensive work and match-winning try get him the nod to be our player of the match, showing heart and class in a match with plenty on the line.

Scorers

For Section Paloise:
Tries: Delhommel 2, Maximin
Cons: Mondinat, Souverbie 2
Pens: Souverbie

For the Bulls:
Tries: Gumede, Van der Merwe, Jooste, Carr
Cons: Pollard 3

Yellow cards: Reinhardt Ludwig (Bulls, 39′ – Cynical foul: sacking maul with momentum illegally), Thomas Laclayat (Section Paloise, 69′ – Cynical foul: sacking maul with momentum illegally)

Teams

Section Paloise: 15 Jack Maddocks, 14 Theo Attissogbe, 13 Nathan Decron, 12 Quentin Valentino, 11 Aaron Grandidier Nkanang, 10 Clément Mondinat, 9 Dan Robson, 8 Carwyn Tuipulotu, 7 Loic Credoz, 6 Luke Whitelock (captain), 5 Jimi Maximin, 4 Hugo Auradou, 3 Guram Papidze, 2 Youri Delhommel, 1 Daniel Bibi Biziwu
Replacements: 16 Julian Montoya, 17 Remi Seneca, 18 Thomas Laclayat, 19 Thomas Jolmes, 20 Remi Picquette, 21 Facundo Isa, 22 Thomas Souverbie, 23 Fabien Brau-Boirie

Bulls: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cheswill Jooste, 13 Sebastian de Klerk, 12 Harold Voster, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Zak Burger, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Mpilo Gumede, 6 Marcell Coetzee (captain), 5 Reinhardt Ludwig, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Jan-Hendrik Wessels.
Replacements: 16 Marco van Staden, 17 Alu Tshakweni, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Ruan Nortje, 20 Cobus Wiese, 21 Keagan Johannes, 22 David Kriel, 23 Jeandre Rudolph

Referee: Karl Dickson (England)
Assistant referees: Craig Evans (Wales), George Selwood (England)
TMO: Mike Adamson (Scotland)