Match Report: Bulls in statement win over Exeter

The South African outfit avenged their thrashing at Sandy Park last month as Wandisile Simelane (2), Elrigh Louw, David Kriel, Ruan Vermaak, and Johan Grobbelaar crossed in a bonus-point win at Loftus Versfeld.

Exeter got over through Josh Hodge and Solomone Kata before Henry Slade’s red card, but further scores from Jannes Kirsten and Dafydd Jenkins ensured they came away with a losing bonus point.

In an enthralling, physical first half, Vodacom Bulls drew first blood as No.8 Louw hammered his way over with a quarter of an hour played.

Exeter found a response three minutes later as full-back Hodge ran onto a brilliant pass from centre Henry Slade and scythed through the Vodacom Bulls defence to dive over.

🗣 Hey Siri, show me a perfectly executed set piece routine.

Sensational from the @ExeterChiefs as Josh Hodge scores his first #HeinekenChampionsCup try 👏 pic.twitter.com/i7Xmjsn7lX

— Heineken Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) January 14, 2023

Bulls were back in front on 22 minutes as fly-half Chris Smith slotted a penalty, and they extended their advantage moments later with a second try, full-back Kurt-Lee Arendse breaking from deep before teeing up wing Kriel.

However, Exeter hit back again, centre Kata the man to dot down after he joined a rumbling lineout maul, fly-half Joe Simmonds’ second conversion of the game moving the visitors to within a point.

But Vodacom Bulls would go into the break 20-14 up as their forwards proved unstoppable from close range again, lock Vermaak powering his way through the Exeter rearguard and over.

And the hosts secured the bonus point early in the second half as a magnificent piece of skill from centre Simelane saw him dissect the Exeter defence and dot down.

Hooker Grobbelaar then trundled over amid a powerful maul as Vodacom Bulls wrestled further control, with Exeter’s hopes of a turnaround then taking a huge hit as centre Slade was dismissed for a high tackle on Arendse.

Petition to sign Wandisile Simelane up to @BafanaBafana ✍

Great football skills from the @BlueBullsRugby 1️⃣3️⃣ who then scores after a somewhat favourable bounce 👀#HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/SyN3YTu7Ml

— Heineken Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) January 14, 2023

Exeter stuck to their task, though, and after a spell of pressure on the Vodacom Bulls line, replacement lock Kirsten picked his way over for their third try.

There would be no miracle turnaround for Chiefs, though, with Simelane’s second score on 70 minutes sealing Vodacom Bulls’ win as he intercepted and ran in from halfway.

But there was time for the 2020 champions to clinch a commendable bonus-point score as lock Jenkins forced his way over in the last play of the game.