Jaco van der Walt scored seven factors in opposition to his former group because the Vodacom Bulls opened their season’s account with victory over Edinburgh in Pretoria on Saturday.
Following a delayed begin to the 2024-25 Vodacom URC for the South African groups as a result of Currie Cup remaining final week, Jake White’s fees have been eager to start out their marketing campaign on a successful word, and scored three tries in a 22-16 triumph at Loftus Versfeld.
Main 12-10 at half time, the Bulls tailored nicely to a late change earlier than kick-off, tighthead prop Francois Klopper changing Springbok powerhouse Wilco Louw as a result of sickness.
Edinburgh flyhalf Ross Thompson cut up the uprights from the kicking tee for the opening rating of the match, however the playmaker Van der Walt, who additionally struck a conversion.
🐂 @BlueBullsRugby are beginning to bellow 📣
Two tries in fast succession, the second from Jaco van der Walt!@Vodacom #URC | #BULvEDI pic.twitter.com/i1YE4RtGXY
— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) September 28, 2024
Nevertheless, Bulls No 8 Cameron Hanekom noticed yellow simply earlier than the break after repeated group infringements, and the guests capitalised on their numerical benefit with a transformed Ewan Ashman landing.
Edinburgh regained the lead after the restart, with Thompson slotting the primary of his two penalties within the second half, however Bok flyer Canan Moodie crossed the whitewash and Boeta Chamberlain kicked 5 factors inside the ultimate quarter to safe the win for the Herd.
White, although, shall be pulling his hair out over the ill-discipline of the Bulls as alternative prop Siphiwe Matanzima earned 10 minutes on the naughty chair within the closing stanza following a number of group warnings from referee Ben Breakspear, who additionally despatched Ashman to the sin-bin for a harmful deal with.
The Bulls subsequent week host Ulster, the Belfast outfit crossing the Jukskei on the again of a 35-22 defeat to the Lions, whereas Edinburgh will deal with the Pleasure at Ellis Park in spherical 3.