The Vodacom Bulls headed to Cardiff hoping to get their first win in the 2021 United Rugby Championship. Cardiff was seemingly on their way to an easy win, however, an unanswered 26 points scored by the Bulls in the second half secured the much-needed (29-19) win for the visitors.
04:57 Rhys Priestland converted a penalty for Cardiff (03-00).
06:40 Seb Davies (Cardiff) sent off with a yellow card.
10:47 Rhys Priestland converted his 2nd penalty for Cardiff (06-00).
17:35 Matthew Screech force his way over for Cardiff's 1st try (13-00).
20:00 Cardiff at this stage were in control of this math while the Bulls tried desperately to use their big players to intimidate Cardiff. The injury to Johan Goosen could be costly for the Bulls.
25:56 Chris Smith converted a penalty for the Bulls (13-03).
33:52 Rhys Priestland converted his 3rd penalty (16-03).
40:00 The Vodacom Bulls clawed their way back into the game but just not on the scoreboard. Cardiff still has the momentum and apply pressure continuously on the Bulls defensive structures. A lacklustre performance by the Bulls at this stage.
42:37 Elrigh Louw tapped a penalty 5 m from Cardiff's try-line and forced his way over with relative ease (16-10).
48:35 Chris Smith converted his 2nd penalty (16-13).
60:12 Madosh Tambe kick a loose ball forward and had no problem outstripping Rhys Priestland in a race to the ball to score the Bulls 2nd try (16-20).
60:00 The Bulls has started the second half like a house on fire. However, after their try early in the second half, the game became error-ridden and without much structure.
63:14 Chris Smith add 3 points with a converted penalty for the Bulls (16-23).
71:05 Chris Smith converted his 4th penalty (16-26).
72:36 Rhys Priestland converted his 4th penalty (19-26).
76:34 Chris Smith converted his 5th penalty (19-29).
Scorers:
Cardiff: Try: Matthew Screech. Conversion: Rhys Priestland. Penalties: Rhys Priestland (4).
Vodacom Bulls: Tries: Elrigh Louw, Madosh Tambwe. Conversions: Chris Smith (2). Penalties: Chris Smith (5).
Teams:
Cardiff Rugby: 15. Hallam Amos, 14. Owen Lane, 13. Rey Lee-Lo, 12. Ben Thomas, 11. Josh Adams, 10. Rhys Priestland, 9. Lloyd Williams, 8. James Ratti, 7. Will Boyde, 6. Josh Navidi, 5. Matthew Screech, 4. Seb Davies, 3. Dmitri Arhip, 2. Kirby Myhill, 1. Rhys Carré. Replacements: 16. Kristian Dacey, 17. Corey Domachowski, 18. Dillon Lewis, 19. Rory Thornton, 20. Josh Turnbull, 21. Tomos Williams, 22. Willis Halaholo, 23. Matthew Morgan.
Vodacom Bulls: 15. David Kriel, 14. Madosh Tambwe, 13. Cornal Hendricks, 12. Harold Vorster, 11. Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10. Johan Goosen, 9. Embrose Papier, 8. Elrigh Louw, 7. Jacques du Plessis, 6. Marcell Coetzee (c), 5. Ruan Nortje, 4. Janko Steenkamp, 3. Jacques van Rooyen, 2. Bismarck du Plessis, 1. Simphiwe Matanzima. Replacements: 16. Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17. Lizo Gqoboka, 18. Robert Hunt, 19. Walt Steenkamp, 20. Arno Botha, 21. Keagan Johannes, 22. Chris Smith, 23. Lionel Mapoe.