The Vodacom Bulls booked their place in the United Rugby Championship semi-finals after an 11-try win over Edinburgh at Loftus Versfeld.
Flyhalf Keagan Johannes starred with boot and ball, scoring 17 points – including a superb solo try – in the Bulls’ 42-33 win over Edinburgh.
The hosts were dealt an early blow when wing Sebastian de Klerk was sent to the sin bin for a dangerous tackle shortly after kickoff.
Edinburgh made the most of the extra man, with fullback Wes Goosen crossing to open the scoring. Despite being down to 14, the Bulls responded with a penalty from Johannes to narrow the gap.
The Vodacom @BlueBullsRugby are on the loose 🐂
Keagan Johannes gets the defender with the dummy and goes all the way to score🙌#BKTURC #URC | #BULvEDI pic.twitter.com/4DFjXOnwDJ
— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) May 31, 2025
Flyhalf Ross Thompson added a second for Edinburgh, again taking advantage of the numerical edge. Once De Klerk returned, the Bulls struck back. Springbok No 8 Cameron Hanekom powered over to cut the deficit.
Edinburgh remained efficient in the red zone, and after a scrum penalty led to a lineout, they moved the ball wide for Thompson to grab his second.
The Bulls answered with a well-constructed try sparked by veteran Willie le Roux’s linebreak, finished by centre David Kriel. The momentum continued with Harold Vorster finishing a flowing team move to bring the Bulls within one point. However, kicking proved costly in the first half, with the home side managing just one successful kick from four. Edinburgh still led 21-18 at the break.
The second half started with the Bulls turning the tide. A dominant spell of possession led to Canan Moodie scoring their fourth try. Johannes soon added a fifth with a brilliant solo effort, before captain Ruan Nortje forced his way over for the sixth, the Bulls’ third try of the third quarter.
Willie Le Roux at his VERY best 😍
🪄 The Vodacom @BlueBullsRugby hit back in style! #BKTURC | #URC | #BULvEDI pic.twitter.com/8iZ0p4IptH
— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) May 31, 2025
Edinburgh refused to fold, and hooker Ewan Ashman crossed after sustained pressure. The Scottish side then gained a man advantage when JF van Heerden was shown a yellow for repeated infringements, but it was short-lived as Thompson was also sent to the bin for a deliberate knock-on.
Goosen’s second try of the evening made it 42-33 going into the final quarter, but Edinburgh couldn’t find a way back. The Bulls’ defence held firm in the dying stages, and they reclaimed possession to close out the win.
The result sees the Bulls move on to the semi-finals, where they will face either the Sharks or Munster, who meet in the last quarter-final at Kings Park on Saturday.
Photo: Gordon Arons/Gallo Images
