Glasgow stunned by Bulls fightback in URC semi-final

Image source, SNSImage caption, Bulls reached their fourth URC final in five years Tries: Steyn 2, penalty try Cons: Lancaster 2 Tries: Grobbelaar, Papier, Klopper Cons: Pollard 2 Pen: Pollard Glasgow Warriors endured more heartbreak as the Bulls recovered from an 18-point deficit to win their United Rugby Championship play-off semi-final at Murrayfield. Having lost at the quarter-final stage of the Champions Cup to Toulon, Warriors were hoping to preserve their hopes of silverware against their South African visitors, who have finished as URC runners-up two years running. For the Bulls, who lost to Glasgow in the 2024 final, either Leinster or Stormers stand in the way of a maiden URC title, having joined the competition in 2021. Leinster host Stormers in Dublin in Saturday's second semi-final. Handre Pollard gave the Bulls a penalty lead but was then sin-binned for a deliberate knock-on. Glasgow, who finished top of the URC standings, got the first try when Kyle Rowe threw right to namesake Steyn for the score and, within moments, a similar move ended with Sione Tuipulotu offloading for Steyn to cross in almost the exact same spot. Dan Lancaster added his second conversion. The Bulls' afternoon worsened as a rolling maul resulted in a penalty try for the hosts and Ruan Nortje was yellow carded in the aftermath. The visitors had to respond and thought they had forced over at a ruck through Marcell Coetzee but the TMO ruled against them. Their first score arrived with their next push at the line, Johan Grobbelaar touching down and Pollard converting, leaving Glasgow with a 21-10 half-time lead. Warriors' Scott Cummings was sent to the bin early in the second period for repeated infringements and Embrose Papier took advantage by skipping over at the line for the Bulls' second try. Pollard's conversion attempt was wide. The Bulls were in the ascendancy and Cummings' yellow card was looking ever more expensive as Cameron Hanekom gained territory and Francois Klopper went in under the posts to set up an easy Pollard conversion. Nineteen unanswered points suddenly had the South African side in the lead. Pollard was unsuccessful with three penalties in a row, keeping the gap at one point with seven minutes to play. Scrum after scrum failed to gain Glasgow the momentum they needed in the closing stages and the visitors doggedly saw out the narrowest of victories. They will contest their fourth URC Grand Final on 20 June. Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith: "I'm obviously disappointed with the result. Bulls did very well in the second half. For now, disappointed - not with the effort or how we played, just the result. "We're usually very good on the other side of half-time. It was the same messaging as we've always had. We're doing the right things in the right area. "We gave too many yards in defence and that's most disappointing. I know this group, we can deliver a better defensive performance. That's a work-on going forward. "We worked really hard this season, fought when we've had some difficulties regarding international players and injuries. "Finishing top was an important milestone for us. To have played here in front of so many fans is remarkable. Yes, we wanted to go one more but I'm really proud of the season and the way the boys have played." Bulls head coach Johan Ackermann told Premier Sports: "So proud of the team and the players. They stayed calm at half-time and showed a lot of character and that's all we ask so, yeah, very pleased. "I'm lost for words. Glasgow played so well in that first half and they really put us to the sword. A lot of the leaders stood up. "My challenge to them was, 'It's 21-10 boys and we couldn't play worse so let's go score one try and see it from then'. As it happened, we scored one try and then game on." Glasgow Warriors: Josh McKay; Kyle Steyn (c), Stafford McDowall, Sione Tuipulotu, Kyle Rowe; Dan Lancaster, George Horne; Patrick Schickerling, Gregor Hiddleston, Zander Fagerson, Scott Cummings, Alex Samuel, Matt Fagerson, Rory Darge, Jack Dempsey. Replacements: Seb Stephen, Rory Sutherland, Sam Talakai, Jare Oguntibeju, Euan Ferrie, Sione Vailanu, Jamie Dobie, Adam Hastings. Bulls: Willie le Roux; Kurt-Lee Arendse, Canan Moodie, Harold Vorster, Stravino Jacobs; Handre Pollard, Embrose Papier; Gerhard Steenekamp, Johan Grobbelaar, Francois Klopper, Ruan Vermaak, Ruan Nortje, Marcell Coetzee (c), Elrigh Louw, Cameron Hanekom. Replacements: Marco van Staden, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Wilco Louw, Cobus Wiese, Jeandre Rudolph, Zak Burger, Stedman Gans, Nizaam Carr.

Glasgow stunned by Bulls fightback in URC semi-final

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Glasgow stunned by Bulls fightback in URC semi-final

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