Bulls pushed all the way in Pretoria by battling Ulster

Ulster fell short as they were beaten 34-26 by the Bulls despite a superb fightback in their United Rugby Championship clash in Pretoria.

The South African side raced into a 21-0 lead with two tries from former Ulster forward Marcell Coetzee either side of an effort from Elrigh Louw.

Ulster replied on the stroke of half-time through Chay Mullins and David McCann reduced the arrears further after the restart.

Coetzee was then sin-binned to give Ulster further encouragement but a Handre Pollard penalty checked their momentum.

Mullins’ second try put the Irish side within striking distance but Johan Grobbelaar crossed from close range to all but make the game safe.

Ulster were given late hope when Stuart McCloskey forced his way over but Curwin Bosch’s last-minute penalty sealed the home side’s victory.

Vodacom Bulls: Luan Giliomee, Sebastian de Klerk, Sango Xamlashe, Harold Vorster, Cheswill Jooste, Handre Pollard, Paul de Wet; Gerhard Steenekamp, Johan Grobbelaar, Francois Klopper, Ruan Vermaak, Reinhardt Ludwig, Marcell Coetzee (CAPT), Hanro Liebenberg, Elrigh Louw

Replacements: Marco van Staden, Alu Tshakweni, Khutha Mchunu, Cobus Wiese, Cameron Hanekom, Zak Burger, Curwin Bosch, Dylan Maart

Ulster Rugby: Jacob Stockdale, Chay Mullins, Jamie Benson, Stuart McCloskey, Michael Lowry, Jack Murphy, Nathan Doak; Tom O’Toole, Tom Stewart (CAPT), Keynan Knox, Ben Donnell, Cormac Izuchukwu, David McCann, Nick Timoney, Juarno Augustus

Replacements: Henry Walker, Eric O’Sullivan, Scott Wilson, Eli Snyman, James McNabney, Matthew Devine, Jake Flannery, James McKillop