URC: Bulls secure home quarter-final with convincing win over Benetton

Coached by Johan Ackermann, the Pretoria side looked in control early on and raced into a 14-0 lead within the opening 12 minutes.

Sergeal Petersen crossed first after a sharp midfield break from Canan Moodie created space out wide, with Handre Pollard adding the conversion to make it 7-0 after only four minutes.

The Bulls doubled their advantage in the 12th minute when Willie le Roux marked his 400th professional appearance with an unopposed try, which was also converted. Benetton responded through Louis Lynagh, although the missed conversion left the visitors trailing 14-5 after 18 minutes.

The home side continued to dominate territory and possession, and their forwards were rewarded in the 29th minute when Johan Grobbelaar powered over from close range.

With the Bulls still needing one more try to secure the crucial bonus point, Cobus Wiese delivered it eight minutes before half-time after Cameron Hanekom took a quick-tap penalty. Pollard converted to stretch the lead to 26-5.

Benetton refused to fade away, however. Rhyno Smith gathered a Bulls chip kick to score under the posts just before the break, narrowing the deficit to 26-12 at half-time.

The Italian outfit then piled on further pressure when Lynagh scored his second try early in the second half, with Smith converting to cut the gap to seven points at 26-19.

The Bulls regained control in the 58th minute as Petersen grabbed his second try of the afternoon to settle nerves and restore momentum.

Late scores from Mpilo Gumede and Ruan Nortje eventually saw the Bulls pull away comfortably and seal an emphatic 45-19 triumph. 

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