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The Bulls' line-out was especially costly during the match in Scotland. Still, they recovered well in the second half to turn a 31–7 deficit into a 34–28 loss.
Bulls No 8 Cameron Hanekom in action against Edinburgh. Picture: Euan Cherry/Getty Images
Edinburgh beat the Bulls at their own game, trumping them in the set-piece battle and winning their Challenge Cup quarter-final match 34–28 at the Hive Stadium in Scotland on Saturday.
The Bulls dominated against all opposition in set-pieces in recent months but fell apart in the line-outs especially against Edinburgh, missing their target men repeatedly and giving away possession in key areas.
Edinburgh were the better side, especially in the first half, winning more possession and territory while making the most of two Bulls yellow cards to turn the numerical advantage into points.
The Bulls, finding themselves 24–7 down at the break, recovered immensely in the second half to score three of their four tries. But it was not enough.
The result meant Edinburgh coach Sean Everitt got one over his old mentor and boss, Jake White. The Bulls are also the last South African team to be knocked out of EPCR competitions after the Sharks and Lions lost their Challenge Cup round of 16 games last weekend.
It also gave Edinburgh a record of three wins out of five against the Bulls after the teams were even in wins before the game.
Bulls on the back foot in Edinburgh
Edinburgh’s sensational backline wasted no time showing its class – a couple of slipped tackles and passes down the line seeing centre James Lang open scoring near the posts in the third minute. Ross Thompson converted.
Bulls scrumhalf Zak Burger received a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on not long afterwards, compounding pressure on the Pretoria side. Edinburgh battered away at the Bulls defence with the extra man, eventually seeing Magnus Bradbury crash over for a converted score in the 13th minute.
But a beautiful Harold Vorster break for the Bulls culminated in a try from David Kriel, converted by Keagan Johannes.
Edinburgh restored their 14-point lead when James Lang scored a try from a fortunate rebounded kick in the 24th minute, and Thompson converted.
A Thompson penalty took the score 24–7 into the break.
Bulls resurgence in the second half
Bulls flank Jannes Kirster received a yellow card for a high tackle almost immediately in the second half, and Edinburgh pounced on the pressure for captain Grant Gilchrist to score a try.
The Bulls were given a life-line with a penalty try after Ross McCann entered a drive from the side to attempt to prevent a try. He received a yellow card for his efforts.
Cameron Hanekom reduced the deficit with a try under the posts after a Stravino Jacobs break. Goosen converted to make the score 31–21 after 50 minutes.
Shortly after returning from the sin bin, Kirsten caused another high tackle but with the ball carrier coming in low, the referee decided it was only worth a penalty and not a second yellow and therefore red.
A Thompson penalty kick extended the lead to 13 points with 20 minutes to play.
The Bulls pressed and pressed, with David Kriel eventually crashing over for a second try. Goosen converted to reduce the deficit to six points with three minutes left.
They were close to the try line at the end but South African-born Pierre Schoeman turned the ball over to secure the win for Edinburgh.
Scorers
Edinburgh: Tries – James Lang (2), Magnus Bradbury, Grant Gilchrist. Conversions – Ross Thompson 4/4. Penalties – Thompson 2/2.
Bulls: Tries – David Kriel (2), Cameron Hanekom. Conversions – Keagan Johannes 1/1, Johan Goosen 2/2.
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