Bulls buried under Bristol try avalanche

by | Jan 11, 2026 | African Golf News

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The Vodacom Bulls conceded nine tries in their Investec Champions Cup clash against the Bristol Bears at Loftus on Saturday to suffer a seventh consecutive defeat.

The English Premiership club won a helter skelter game 61-49 after leading 47-28 at half-time.

The Bulls did pick up a try-scoring bonus point, but missed out on another for finishing within seven when held up over the line in the final play of the game.

A total of 10 tries were scored in a breathless first half.

The home side made the worst possible start when conceding three converted tries inside the first eight minutes.

South African centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg dotted down after only two minutes, followed by prop Max Lahiff and then right wing Noah Heward for the first of his three scores in the half.

On 13 minutes, flank Jeandre Rudolph crashed over, with flyhalf Handre Pollard converting to give the Bulls a small foothold in the game.

But Bristol hit right back for the bonus-point try, this time by winger Kalaveti Ravouvou, and flyhalf Tom Jordan converted again for a 28-7 lead.

The half then swung widely as Bulls left wing Stravino Jacobs dotted down twice between further Bristol scores from Heward and No 9 Kieran Marmion. The score was 42-21 after 27 minutes.

On the stroke of half-time, the Bulls were awarded a penalty try after Bristol fullback Rich Lane deliberately slapped the ball into touch as Jacobs was chasing a hat-trick. Lane also copped a yellow card and suddenly the score was 42-28 and there was a glimmer of hope for the Bulls.

But the hosts were almost comical in their incompetence. With time in the first half well up and the Bulls on the attack deep in enemy territory, they contrived to cough up possession and a kick through saw Heward in for his hat-trick.

The Bulls opened the scoring early in the second half through centre David Kriel and a Pollard conversion made it 47-35.

The heat and altitude started taking a visible toll on the visitors but Bristol pressure saw veteran fullback Willie le Roux yellow-carded and lock Pedro Rubiolo rumble over. There were further scores by Ravouvou and Bulls wing Sebastian de Klerk, with Pollard’s conversion bringing up 100 points in the match.

Le Roux then rounded off a 70m score, before the hosts were denied a second bonus point.

In the final round of Champions Cup fixtures next weekend, the winless Bulls travel to Pau, while Bristol host Bordeaux Bègles.

BULLS – Tries: Jeandre Rudolph, Stravino Jacobs (2), penalty try, David Kriel, Sebastian de Klerk, Willie le Roux. Conversions: Handre Pollard (6).
BRISTOL BEARS – Tries: Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Max Lahiff, Noah Heward (3), Kalaveti Ravouvou (2), Kieran Marmion, Pedro Rubiolo. Conversions: Tom Jordan (8).

Photo: Christiaan Kotze/INPHO

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