Johannes stars as Bulls subdue Edinburgh

The Vodacom Bulls booked their place in the United Rugby Championship semi-finals after a six-try win over Edinburgh at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

Flyhalf Keagan Johannes starred with boot and ball, scoring 17 points – including a superb solo try – in the Bulls’ 42-33 win in Pretoria.

The hosts were dealt an early blow when winger Sebastian de Klerk was sent to the sin bin for a dangerous tackle shortly after kickoff.

Edinburgh made the most of the extra man, with fullback Wes Goosen crossing to open the scoring. Despite being down to 14 men, the Bulls responded with a penalty from Johannes to narrow the gap.

The Vodacom @BlueBullsRugby are on the loose 🐂

Keagan Johannes gets the defender with the dummy and goes all the way to score🙌#BKTURC #URC | #BULvEDI pic.twitter.com/4DFjXOnwDJ

— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) May 31, 2025

Edinburgh flyhalf Ross Thompson added a second for the visitors, again taking advantage of the numerical edge. Once De Klerk returned, the Bulls struck back as No 8 Cameron Hanekom powered over to cut the deficit.

The Scottish tourists remained efficient in the red zone, and after a scrum penalty led to a lineout, they moved the ball wide for Thompson to double his try tally.

The Bulls answered with a well-constructed try sparked by Willie le Roux’s linebreak, capped off by centre David Kriel. The momentum continued with Harold Vorster finishing a flowing team move to bring the Herd within one point. However, kicking proved costly in the first half, with the home side managing just one successful kick from four. Edinburgh still led 21-18 at the break.

The second half started with the Bulls turning the tide. A dominant spell of possession led to Canan Moodie scoring their fourth try. Johannes soon added a fifth, before captain Ruan Nortje forced his way over for the Bulls’ sixth try of the match.

Willie Le Roux at his VERY best 😍

🪄 The Vodacom @BlueBullsRugby hit back in style! #BKTURC | #URC | #BULvEDI pic.twitter.com/8iZ0p4IptH

— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) May 31, 2025

Edinburgh refused to fold, and hooker Ewan Ashman crossed after sustained pressure. The Scots then gained a man advantage when Bulls lock JF van Heerden was shown a yellow for repeated infringements, but it was short-lived as Thompson was also sent to the naughty chair for a deliberate knock-on.

Goosen’s second try made it a nine-point game going into the final quarter, but Edinburgh couldn’t find a way back. The Bulls’ defence held firm in the dying stages, and they reclaimed possession to close out the win.

For the second successive URC campaign the Bulls progress to the last-four stage, and will next week either the Sharks or Munster, who meet in the last quarter-final of 2024-25 at Kings Park on Saturday.

Photo: Gordon Arons/Gallo Images