14-man Bulls suffer a huge blow against Munster

• Published date: 21 April 2024
• Author: Ashfak Mohamed
• Publication title: Sunday Tribune

Flyhalf Johan Goosen’s controversial red card in the 54th minute – for making head contact in a tackle on Munster replacement scrumhalf Craig Casey – meant the Bulls had to tighten up their approach and defend with great tenacity for the rest of the match

Jake White’s team did just that, holding out the marauding Munster attack to keep the scoreboard at 22-22 for about 15 minutes.

But the light blue wall was eventually pierced with six minutes left when veteran scrumhalf Conor Murray forced his way over in the right-hand corner for the bonus-point try.

That made it 27-22, and despite a number of multi-phase passages – with the Bulls forwards carrying strongly up the middle – Munster eventually won a turnover to clinch a vital victory that sees them moving up to third on 48 points, with the Bulls on 46 in fourth.

Leinster lost 44-12 to the Lions at Ellis Park earlier yesterday, but the Irish giants still lead the URC standings on 54 points, one ahead of Glasgow.

The Bulls will rue the fact that they now will have to rely on other results to secure a home semi-final and final.

It was Munster – led by impressive Springbok lock RG Snyman – who stormed out of the blocks at altitude, with their forwards winning the physicality battle. The Bulls battled to string significant passes together, but Goosen was on song with his tactical kicking and touch-finders. But that man Snyman stood up for...