Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
NZ NZ

Ulster give Ruan Pienaar a hero's welcome, a try and a loss

By Online Editors
(Photo By Oliver McVeigh/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Out-half Bill Johnston kicked 10 points as Ulster defeated their play-off chasing Conference A rivals, the Ruan Pienaar steered Cheetahs 20-10 at chilly Kingspan Stadium.

ADVERTISEMENT

The victory – which also saw the Irish province score tries in either half from prop Tom O’Toole and winger Robert Baloucoune – ensured that Ulster have gone 21 games unbeaten at home, equalling their previous record set in the early 2000s.

The visitors, with former Ulster player Ruan Pienaar in their ranks for his first competitive game since leaving the province in 2017, scored a second half try from full-back Clayton Bloometjies. Pienaar kicked the conversion and a penalty.

It took Ulster seven minutes to get on the scoreboard and after centre James Hume went close, O’Toole wriggled over at the posts. Johnston easily converted.

There were no further clear-cut scoring chances for either side until five minutes before half-time when Johnston slotted a penalty after the South Africans were punished for a high tackle.

Continue reading below…

WATCH: Ireland head coach Andy Farrell and captain Johnny Sexton press conference following their victory over Wales in the Six Nations at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

Video Spacer

Ulster’s 10-0 lead was eaten into almost immediately by the Cheetahs, with Pienaar landing a 38th minute penalty.

ADVERTISEMENT

The former Ulster great’s kick was the final score of the half, meaning Ulster led 10-3 at the midway point after a less than enthralling opening 40 minutes.

Seven minutes after the restart and with Cheetahs hooker Wilmar Arnoldi in the bin, Johnston’s cross-kick picked out Baloucoune on the right wing. Johnston then added a superb touchline conversion to stretch the lead to 17-3.

That became 20-3 on 59 minutes from Johnston’s second penalty.

Then six minutes after the hour, Sintu Manjezi intercepted a Jonny Stewart pass and though Ulster scrambled well, Cheetahs’ full-back Bloometjies scored out on the right with Pienaar slotting the extras.

ADVERTISEMENT

Join free

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 6

Sam Warburton | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

Japan Rugby League One | Sungoliath v Eagles | Full Match Replay

Japan Rugby League One | Spears v Wild Knights | Full Match Replay

Boks Office | Episode 10 | Six Nations Final Round Review

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | How can New Zealand rugby beat this Ireland team

Beyond 80 | Episode 5

Rugby Europe Men's Championship Final | Georgia v Portugal | Full Match Replay

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

FEATURE
FEATURE Juan Ignacio Brex: 'Italy made history, but it's not enough' Juan Ignacio Brex: 'Italy made history, but it's not enough'
Search