PRETORIA – The Bulls reignited their United Rugby Championship playoff ambitions with a convincing 40-7 victory over Cardiff at Loftus Versfeld on Friday evening, with the return of influential loose forward Cameron Hanekom providing an additional boost.
The Pretoria side did most of their damage in the first half, racing to a commanding 33-7 lead at the interval after a shaky start that saw Cardiff centre Harri Millard cross the line in the second minute. Callum Sheedy’s conversion gave the visitors an early 7-0 advantage.
However, the Bulls quickly regained their composure. Tries from Marcell Coetzee and Johan Grobbelaar, with one conversion from Handre Pollard, put them 12-7 ahead. The momentum shifted further when Cardiff’s Alun Lawrence was sin-binned for cynical play.
Despite Cardiff returning to their full complement, the Bulls maintained control. David Kriel, Embrose Papier and Elrigh Louw all crossed the whitewash before halftime, with Pollard converting all three to establish a 26-point buffer.
Cardiff emerged with renewed purpose after the break but found the Bulls’ defence resolute. The hosts added their sixth try in the 56th minute when Ruan Vermaak powered over the line. Pollard’s conversion sealed the 40-7 final score.
The match marked the return of Hanekom, who had been sidelined since mid-2024 with a serious hamstring injury. The number eight came off the bench in the second half and immediately made his presence felt with strong carries, solid defence and turnover work.
Bulls coach Johan Ackermann was particularly pleased with Hanekom’s performance. “That will give him confidence. It’s good to have him back, and hopefully it can just go upwards,” Ackermann said. “He showed his class by carrying well, putting pressure on the defence, and getting a turnover. He’s been out for a long time, so sometimes it takes a game or two to get back into it.”
The victory, following last weekend’s defeat to the Stormers, lifts the Bulls to seventh on the URC standings, keeping their playoff aspirations alive. – kickoff.com
