URC result: Bulls overpower Zebre to stay in URC race

Winger Canan Moodie was the standout performer as he scored a hat-trick of tries as the Bulls overcame Zebre to claim a 78-12 bonus-point victory in a United Rugby Championship clash at Ellis Park on Saturday afternoon.

The result sees the Bulls all but guarantee their place among the eight teams that will advance to the United Rugby Championship playoffs after the final round of league matches next week.

Scrumhalf Embrose Papier and lock Ruan Vermaak each crossed for two tries while Moodie’s three touchdowns were a consequence of the Bulls running riot to score 11 tries in total.

The hosts got off to a flyer, crossing the whitewash twice before the clock hit five minutes through Moodie and Papier off the back of some enterprising backline play.

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Zebre struck back shortly after when fullback Richard Kriel, the younger brother of Bulls counterpart David, going over in the corner rather easily, as they cut through the defence.

Papier and Moodie then each grabbed their second of the afternoon, Papier showing his wheels to regather a chip-kick and score before Moodie claimed the bonus-point try, running an excellent line after some patient attack.

It was then the forwards’ turn to get involved, Vermaak barging across the try-line and flyhalf Johan Goosen adding a penalty on the hooter to give them a 36-5 lead at the break.

The Bulls continued their dominance after the restart, hooker Johan Grobbelaar breaking the line on halfway before drawing and passing to prop Gerhard Steenekamp to bag his first URC try.

Zebre then grabbed their second of the afternoon, replacement scrumhalf Chris Cook sniping successfully to go over before Vermaak dotted down again, taking the score to 50-12 after the third quarter.

The floodgates had truly opened, Moodie cantered over for his third before Marco Van Staden, Bismarck du Plessis and replacement back Chris Smith added their names to the scoresheet, bringing an end to a truly dominant display.

The Bulls will now turn their attention to a tough clash against table-toppers Leinster at Loftus Versfeld next week.

This article first appeared on sarugbymag.co.za. It is republished here with permission.