URC Rewind: Bulls vs Sharks

The Vodacom Bulls and Sharks renew hostilities at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday in the 10th URC clash between the teams, with a place in the final at stake. 

One South African side will contest the decider next week, potentially in the Republic if defending champions Glasgow Warriors beat Irish giants Leinster in Dublin.

Runners-up in 2022 and 2024, the Bulls seek redemption after recent setbacks against their coastal rivals as John Plumtree’s charges claimed both regular-season meetings this campaign.

However, history favours Jake White’s Herd at Loftus, where they’ve won three of five previous encounters.

3 DECEMBER 2021: SHARKS 30-16 BULLS
A Springbok-powered Sharks side outmuscled the Bulls 30-16 at Kings Park in their first URC meeting. Lukhanyo Am’s second-half intercept try swung momentum after the visitors led at the break.

Bulls scrum woes and a yellow card proved costly, as the Sharks sealed it with a maul try by Kerron van Vuuren late on.

12 FEBRUARY 2022: BULLS 22-29 SHARKS
The Sharks claimed a 29-22 bonus-point win over the 14-man Bulls at Loftus. Morne Steyn’s early red card shifted impetus, with the visitors striking through Am, Henco Venter, Bongi Mbonambi and Makazole Mapimpi.

Despite late tries from Simphiwe Matanzima and Madosh Tambwe, missed conversions proved costly as the Sharks’ defence stood firm to secure all five log points.

4 JUNE 2022: BULLS 30-27 SHARKS
Chris Smith’s last-gasp drop goal clinched a 30-27 quarter-final win for the Bulls over the Sharks in Pretoria. The visitors dominated up front but the Bulls struck through Marcell Coetzee and Cornal Hendricks before Smith’s flawless boot sealed it.

A frantic finish saw the Sharks draw level, only for Smith to crush their hopes in the 83rd minute.

30 OCTOBER 2022: BULLS 40-27 SHARKS
The Bulls surged past the Sharks 40-27 at Loftus, with three late tries from replacements Embrose Papier, Stravino Jacobs and Jan-Hendrik Wessels proving decisive.

After an even contest marked by lead changes and injuries, the Bulls bench delivered the knockout blow. Despite a spirited Sharks effort, the hosts finished stronger to seal a commanding derby win.

31 DECEMBER 2022: SHARKS 47-20 BULLS
The Sharks punished two first-half yellow cards to hammer the Bulls 47-20 in Durban. A penalty try, scores from Mbonambi, Grant Williams, and Rohan Janse van Rensburg and a dominant second half buried the visitors.

Canan Moodie’s double yellow — ending in red — summed up a grim night for the Bulls, as the Sharks closed the year with a ruthless display.

2 DECEMBER 2023: BULLS 44-10 SHARKS
Akker van der Merwe and Stedman Gans bagged two tries each as the Bulls dismantled the Sharks 44-10 in Pretoria. Johan Goosen added 14 points, while Kurt-Lee Arendse and Elrigh Louw also scored.

The Sharks managed a penalty try, but were outclassed throughout as the hosts dominated both halves to secure a commanding bonus-point win.

1 JUNE 2024: SHARKS 14-26 BULLS
Van der Merwe’s second-half brace sealed a 26-14 win for the Bulls over the Sharks in Durban, clinching the SA Shield and a top-two URC finish en route to the playoffs. Tries from David Kriel and Johan Grobbelaar set the tone, while Goosen added key points.

21 DECEMBER 2024: SHARKS 20-17 BULLS
The Sharks edged the Bulls 20-17 in a tense round 8 derby at Kings Park. Tries from Jaden Hendrikse and a penalty try, plus 10 points from Jordan Hendrikse, saw the hosts withstand a Bulls fightback.

Despite scoring twice and dominating large spells, the visitors were denied by errors and a defiant Sharks defensive stand.

15 FEBRUARY 2025: BULLS 19-29 SHARKS
Down to 12 men at one stage, the Sharks defied the odds to stun the Bulls 29-19 on the Highveld. Three second-half tries from Ethan Hooker, Tino Mavesere and Yaw Penxe sealed it, despite a yellow card spree.

The Bulls dominated up front, but Grobbelaar’s brace wasn’t enough as the visitors held firm and struck clinically when it counted.

Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix