In an epic United Rugby Championship match on Saturday at Loftus Versfeld, the Bulls prevailed 33-31 bonus points despite a last-second penalty attempt by Edinburgh thanks to the heroics of veteran Morné Steyn.
When Steyn made a last-second three-pointer from near to the touchline at the 10-meter mark, it seemed like Pretoria had done enough to win the match.
However, the Scottish team showed their customary tenacity to earn the decisive kickoff, and they were given a contentious penalty deep inside the Bulls’ half when it was determined that home wing Stravino Jacobs had committed a high tackle in a devastating blow on Edinburgh centre Mark Bennett.
Fullback Henry Immelman, who was born in South Africa, went up to try to win the game for his club, but he sliced his long effort wide to the right, and the home crowd screamed in joy.
It was undoubtedly a victory to savour as Edinburgh threw off the Bulls’ flow starting in the 20th minute after Jake White’s side jumped out to a 15-0 lead.
The Bulls dominated the physical war up front, and players like captain Marcell Coetzee, No. 8 Elrigh Louw, lock Ruan Nortje, and hooker Johan Grobbelaar were dominant in the early exchanges.
Following a deft move from a five-metre tap penalty, Grobbelaar scored the first try when flanker Ruan Vermaak passed to Coetzee, who offloaded in the tackle for the No. 2 to score.
And after Grant Gilchrist, the co-captain of Edinburgh, received a yellow card for a series of fouls, the Bulls seized the opportunity when Louw charged over from a lineout move.
White may have believed the score was locked up at 15-0, but Edinburgh wouldn’t go down without a fight. Prior to the game’s start, flyhalf Blair Kinghorn withdrew, and his substitute Jaco van der Walt was forced to leave the game in the 12th minute due to a concussion.
Youngster Charlie Savala entered the game and assisted his side in mounting a valiant comeback as Edinburgh displayed their legendary ball-in-hand strategy.
It paid off because the Bulls missed too many tackles, and when James Lang, the centre, broke the line, Savala scored.
swift wing Following another excellent phase-play by the visitors, Darcy Graham scored a second try, making the score 15–14 at the break.
The Bulls’ improved ball retention and tightened defence, which White would have made evident at halftime, paid off right away as the second half kicked off.
Before the ball was sent back to Cornal Hendricks for the goal, Nortje almost scored after winning the ball in the air.
Edinburgh, though, persisted. Graham pounced to kick ahead and get his hat-trick when Mark Bennett’s penalty effort rebounded into play from the uprights in a hilarious blunder by the Bulls.
At 25-24 to the Bulls, everything was still up for grabs. Encouraged by their fans on a scorching Pretoria day, the Bulls seemed to have won when Jacobs broke through after a strong run by prop Simphiwe Matanzima.
But again, Edinburgh gained the lead for the first time when Damien Hoyland scored after fine hands along the backline, and coach Mike Blair would have been pleased with the team’s enthusiasm.
With five minutes remaining and a 31-30 advantage for the Scottish team, Immelman decided to take a long shot towards goal, but he missed.
The Bulls forwards worked hard to secure a couple scrum penalties, the second of which was inside Steyn’s range. The veteran warhorse once again shown his brilliance by kicking the ball over for a 33-31 advantage.
After the hooter, Immelman was given another chance to score the winning kick, but he was unsuccessful.
Points-Scorers
Bulls 33: Tries from Stravino Jacobs, Johan Grobbelaar, Elrigh Louw, and Chris Smith, conversions (2). Penalties: Morné Steyn (2), Smith (2) (1).
Charlie Savala, Darcy Graham (3), and Damien Hoyland each scored tries for Edinburgh. Mark Bennett, conversions (3).