Brilliant Bulls stamp ticket to URC final

The Vodacom Bulls will contest a fourth URC final in five seasons after a come-from-behind win over the Glasgow Warriors at Murrayfield on Saturday.

Glasgow led 21-3 after 24 minutes, but coach Johan Ackermann’s side staged a fighting comeback to win the semi-final 22-21 and avenge the result from the Loftus final two seasons ago.

The opening 10 minutes were a tense, tactical affair, with both sides testing each other’s aerial game.

The Bulls struck first in the sixth minute when flyhalf Handré Pollard slotted a penalty to edge the visitors into an early lead. But the momentum swung dramatically four minutes later when the Springbok flyhalf was shown a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on.

Glasgow wasted little time making their numerical advantage count.

Warriors captain Kyle Steyn crossed for two tries in the space of four minutes, finishing off a pair of slick attacking moves to turn the semi-final on its head. Flyhalf Dan Lancaster added both conversions as the hosts raced into a 14-3 lead.

Kyle Steyn strikes first in the Semi-Final! ⚔️🔥
@Vodacom #URC | #GLAvBUL pic.twitter.com/lUbnx3kS2T

— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) June 6, 2026

The Bulls’ troubles deepened early in the second quarter. Following sustained pressure on their line, Glasgow were awarded a penalty try, while lock Ruan Nortjé was sent to the sin bin for a cynical infringement close to the tryline.

With the Warriors threatening to take complete control, the Bulls finally found a way back into the contest before the break. After a prolonged spell camped inside the Glasgow 22, hooker Johan Grobbelaar crashed over from close range following a sustained assault on the home side’s defence.

Pollard added the extras, but it was Glasgow who headed into the sheds firmly in control with a 21-10 advantage.

However, a different Bulls team emerged from the break and South Africa’s URC Player of the Season Embrose Papier darted over from a ruck to stun the Murrayfield crowd.

What a time for Francois Klopper to get his first try for the Vodacom Bulls 👏

The men in blue are ahead for the first time in the semi-final 🐂🔵

📺 Stream #VURC on DStv: https://t.co/0P0NNhnwKw pic.twitter.com/0TB5LPCjEe

— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) June 6, 2026

The Bulls then snuck in front when tighthead prop Francois Klopper burrowed his way over the line, handily under the crossbar to give Pollard an easy conversion.

The Bulls will meet either the Stormers in Cape Town or Leinster in Dublin in the final.

GLASGOW WARRIORS – Tries: Kyle Steyn (2), penalty try. Conversions: Dan Lancaster (2)
BULLS – Tries: Johan Grobbelaar, Embrose Papier, Francois Klopper. Conversions: Handré Pollard (2). Penalty: Pollard

Photo: @BlueBullsRugby/X