Match Report: Bulls triumph in 11-try thriller against Lyon

Vodacom Bulls demonstrated their attacking prowess as they crossed through Bernard van der Linde (2), Sibongile Novuka, Nizaam Carr, Stravino Jacobs and Chris Smith, Morné Steyn adding six conversions.

Lyon battled back after going down by 28 points down early on, Arno Botha (2), Liam Coltman, Ethan Dumortier and Kyle Godwin notching the TOP 14 team’s tries while Leo Berdeu kicked 11 points, but completing an improbable comeback proved one step too far.

Last season’s EPCR Challenge Cup winners struggled to find their feet at altitude in Pretoria, and Vodacom Bulls took full advantage as they made a blistering start, wing Novuka scything through the visitors’ defence to dive over on four minutes.

They had a second try inside 10 minutes as scrum-half van der Linde sneaked round the corner to finish from close range after good work from flanker Carr.

And with van der Linde crossing again on 20 minutes following a delightful dummy, and Carr crashing over moments later, the hosts had the bonus point wrapped up inside half an hour.

However, Lyon rallied in the latter stages of the half and two lineout mauls earned them two scores, first through No.8 Botha against his former club and then through hooker Coltman.

Sibongile Novuka take a bow 👏👏👏

It's a dream start for the @BlueBullsRugby in their #HeinekenChampionsCup debut 🤩 pic.twitter.com/bT7XzN7KOZ

— Heineken Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) December 10, 2022

Bulls therefore began the second half with their lead cut to 16 points, but that was quickly extended as wing Jacobs produced a phenomenal score, stepping inside twice to finish under the posts.

But Lyon counterpart Dumortier would hit back with a stunning try of his own moments later, showcasing some clever footwork before muscling over out wide.

And the gap was down to nine points on 48 minutes as Both chipped forward and dived on the loose ball for his second try of the evening, Berdeu adding his third conversion of the game.

Berdeu moved Lyon to within six points with a penalty from some distance on the hour mark, but replacement fly-half Smith eased the pressure on Vodacom Bulls as he finished excellently for his score and Steyn kicked his sixth conversion of the evening.

There was time for yet another top-class try as Lyon centre Godwin dinked over a covering defender and dotted down, and although the game went deep into overtime as the visitors pushed for another score, Vodacom Bulls held on for the win in an incredible contest.

Both sides face Gallagher Premiership opposition in Round 2 next Saturday, with Vodacom Bulls away at 2020 Heineken Champions Cup winners Exeter Chiefs and Lyon hosting three-time champions Saracens.