Three weeks after the direct confrontation in the regular season, Vodacom Bulls and Benetton Rugby faced each other again on Saturday 8 June in the quarter-final of the United Rugby Championship playoffs. Hard-fought match at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria. The South Africans, who finished second in the standings, struggled quite a bit against the Benetton Rugby Lions who, like gladiators, came close to reaching the semi-final of the tournament in the second half.
The match report
Bulls immediately ahead with a goal from Arendse who quickly escapes the green and white defense; Goosen converts. The Lions suffer, but defend themselves vigorously and move up the field, winning a place. Rhyno Smith kicks and hits the posts, giving him the first three points. A try for the green and whites was disallowed due to an offside whistle on Ruzza by the TMO. On the change in front the South Africans still score with a brace from Arendse, served in tow by Goosen. The home flyhalf converts and Bulls lead 14-3. Benetton doesn’t let go and scores the first goal of the afternoon: a foul quickly taken by Uren, quick transmission of the ball with Fekitoa who opens up to Onisi Ratave, who does well to dive in for the goal. Smith doesn’t convert. The Bulls earn a free kick from mid-court and Goosen does well to extend the lead to plus 11 (17-8) with which the first half ends. Previously Garbisi replaced Fekitoa, hit by a headbutt from Arendse.
The second half begins and Fekitoa returns to the field. Foul in the Bulls’ melee and the Lions go to the posts. Rhyno Smith makes no mistakes and three additional points for the green and whites. Changes among the guests with Niccolò Cannone and Garbisi for Iachizzi and Uren. The South Africans win a turnover and Goosen is a sniper from the pitch. Spagnolo, Lucchesi, Lorenzo Cannone and Snyman take over for Gallo, Bernasconi, Ruzza and Halafihi. The Lions dig meters and conquer territory. From the maul in the five meters the green and whites draw a long multi-phase with Tomas Albornoz very good at beating two opponents and going for the goal. Rhyno Smith doesn’t make mistakes. The Bulls, however, are cynical and score with Kriel’s shot. Goosen is infallible and the South Africans are ahead 27-18. Space for Zilocchi in place of Ferrari. The Lions are not intimidated and come back under the break with the heavy marking of Malakai Fekitoa on the flag. Smith doesn’t convert and then Umaga takes over from an exhausted Ratave. The Bulls get a new free kick and Goosen brings his lead to 30-23. The green-and-whites would have the chance to score the equalizer, but the ball escapes forward and the South Africans advance to the semi-finals. The Lions’ season ends in South Africa, at the end of a gladiatorial match in which the green and whites came close to turning a new historical page.
