Union Bordeaux-Bègles, the reigning Champions Cup holders, came back from a significant first-half deficit to secure an impressive away victory in a high-scoring, 12-try thriller against the Vodacom Bulls.
The Bulls started strong and went into halftime with a commanding 33-22 lead, scoring five tries. However, Bordeaux, showcasing international class and composure, completely dominated the second half, scoring four unanswered tries and preventing the Bulls from scoring any points. The turning point included two pivotal yellow cards for the Bulls' David Kriel and Handré Pollard.
Bordeaux winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey scored a brace of tries, while Damian Penaud, Maxime Lamothe, Boris Palu, Matthieu Jalibert, and Salesi Rayasi also crossed the whitewash. For the Bulls, Sebastian de Klerk, Reinhardt Ludwig, Akker van der Merwe, Canan Moodie, and Jeandre Rudolf scored tries.
The result means the Bulls earned a bonus point for their five tries, but Bordeaux opened their title defense with a decisive win.
It took Bordeaux just three minutes to score the first points when Damian Penaud scored the first try, with Matthieu Jalibert adding the extras for a 7-0 lead.
The Bulls hit back just short of 10 minutes when sustained pressure on Bordeaux-Bègles paid off. Sebastian de Klerk finished in the corner, and Handré Pollard’s conversion levelled matters at 7-7.
But the French side responded immediately, capitalising on a Bulls mistake from the restart. The hosts spilt the ball and the defending champions pounced, launching an attack in which Jalibert drew in defenders before try-scoring sensation Louis Bielle-Biarrey found space out wide to restore the lead at 14-7.
The Bulls then suffered a setback as Springbok flanker Marco van Staden left the field with what appeared to be a knee injury.
It was a fiercely contested encounter, with both sides trading blows. Reinhardt Ludwig powered over to keep the Bulls in touch, while Maxime Lamothe muscled his way through to hand Bordeaux a 19-14 advantage.
The attacking flair on display was exceptional, and a brilliant offload from Pollard put Akker van der Merwe over for the try. Pollard converted to edge the Bulls ahead 21-19.
Jalibert’s penalty nudged the visitors back in front, but the Bulls responded once more. Pollard’s long pass found Canan Moodie, who produced a moment of trademark brilliance to beat multiple defenders and score.
The Bulls extended their lead just before halftime when crisp interplay created space for Jeandre Rudolph, who charged under the posts. Pollard’s conversion made it 33-22 at the break.
The visitors pressed home their advantage. A dominant scrum and slick interplay allowed Bielle-Biarrey to complete his brace, with Maxime Lucu’s conversion putting Bordeaux ahead 34-33.
In the closing minutes, Bordeaux finished strongly. After a powerful maul in the corner, the ball was shifted to the backline, with Penaud and Jalibert linking up for the fly-half to score under the posts. Rayasi also dotted down for a five-pointer, sealing the comprehensive 46-33 win.
Teams:
Vodacom Bulls: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 David Kriel, 12 Harold Voster, 11 Sebastian de Klerk, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Marcell Coetzee (c), 7 Reinhardt Ludwig, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Alulutho Tshakweni. Replacements: 16 Johann Grobberlaar, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Ruan Nortje, 20 Elrigh Louw, 21 Jeandre Rudolf, 22 Embrose Papier, 23 Stravino Jacobs.
Bordeaux-Begles: 15 Romain Buros, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Nicolas Depoortere, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Matthieu Jalibert, 9 Maxime Lucu (c), 8 Temo Matiu, 7 Cameron Woki, 6 Bastien Vergnes-Taillefer, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Boris Palu, 3 Carlü Sadie, 2 Maxime Lamothe, 1 Jefferson Poirot. Replacements: 16 Gaetan Barlot, 17 Matis Perchaud, 18 Ben Tameifuna, 19 Jonny Gray, 20 Tiaan Jacobs, 21 Arthur Retiere, 22 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 23 Salesi Rayasi.