Dominant Bulls slay Dragons

The Vodacom Bulls secured second spot on the Vodacom URC log with a nine-try Dragons demolition at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

The 55-15 victory took the Bulls nine points clear of third-placed Glasgow, who face Leinster in their last league-stage match in Dublin.

As a result, if Jake White’s side win their home quarter-final on Saturday, 31 May, they will host a semi-final the following week.

After paying tribute to former teammate Cornal Hendricks, who passed away on Wednesday, the Bulls charged into a 12-0 lead, with centre David Kriel and lock Cobus Wiese touching down in quick succession.

De Klerk 🤝 Kriel@Vodacom #URC | #RaceToTheEight | #BULvDRA pic.twitter.com/iF83lrWtHy

— vodacomrugby (@VodacomRugga) May 17, 2025

Winger Sebastian de Klerk finished off another slick Bulls backline move in which fullback Willie le Roux played an influential role, and while the visitors then enjoyed their best period of play until then, hooker Akker van der Merwe went over from a lineout maul on the stroke of half time for a 26-0 lead.

The Dragons finally breathed some fire early in the second half, when winger Huw Anderson went over in the corner and scrumhalf Rhodri Williams chipped-and-chased to score their second.

But the Bulls soon doused those flames, with Van der Merwe grabbing his double and winger Sergeal Petersen going bang-bang.

SERGEAL PETERSEN 🔥🔥@Vodacom #URC | #RaceToTheEight | #BULvDRA pic.twitter.com/Dfsy1URrDB

— vodacomrugby (@VodacomRugga) May 17, 2025

Replacement flank Marcell Coetzee then rounded off a brilliant try from the restart to bring up the 50 and another sub, fullback Devon Williams, completed the rout.

The try was textbook. The celebration? Pure theatre from Marcell!@Vodacom #URC | #RaceToTheEight | #BULvDRA pic.twitter.com/6lUNLSqWvr

— vodacomrugby (@VodacomRugga) May 17, 2025

Replacement back Ashton Hewitt scored a late consolation try for the visitors, who ended a miserable season with a 17th defeat in 18 matches.

Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix