Fixtures Edinburgh Men 24/25 BKT United Rugby Championship
September 28, 2024 Loftus Versfeld Stadium
VodacomBulls_portraitVodacom Bulls
22 - 16 Away
ER-Full-500×500Edinburgh
Live updates
FT

FT reflections

Three moments of brilliance from the hosts were enough to do the damage. Edinburgh stayed resolute throughout with some little comfort to take from scrum dominance, but errors in the opposition final five were too costly.
FT

FT reflections

Edinburgh leave Loftus with a losing-bonus point after an improved second-half from both sides in what remained a scrappy encounter.
80'

Full-time: Vodacom Bulls 22-16 Edinburgh Rugby

76'

Straight out

Bulls send the restart straight out and Edinburgh want the scrum with a man down. Schoeman comes back on and Venter moves to hooker (with Ashman in the bin).
75'

PEN Thompson!

Thompson converts the penalty to make it a one-score game (22-16).
75'

HUGE Edinburgh break

So close! HUGE break from Edinburgh who go end-to-end from a turnover under the posts - Graham and Vellacott combine to make to half way and then the ball is shifted again. Duhan van der Merwe is the last man on ball in a footrace in the angle but is snagged just shy of the try line. Bulls infringe (22-13).
71'

Yellwo card - Ashman

Ewan Ashman is penalised for a no arms tackle and sent to the bin for the next ten just as Bulls are returned to a full complement (22-13).
68'

PEN Bulls

Boeta Chamberlain makes the game a two-score contest after under-pressure Edinburgh infringe under the posts (22-13).
64'

Try Bulls

In the space of ten crazy seconds, Bulls turnover Edinburgh on their own line, break wide against the narrow visitors, and kick through, resulting in a 50-22. Speed of thought sees a quick lineout taken and attack with speed almost unopposed - as Edinburgh back track - to cross under the posts, which they then convert (19-13).
62'

SUB

Rae and Venter now on for Hill and Schoeman at prop.
61'

SUB

Double centurion Grant Gilchrist is replaced by Jamie Hodgson as Thompson send as massive penalty kick long to the Bulls 5m line for a lineout.
61'

Superb from Vellacott

So close to a solo stunner from Ben Vellacott who races down the wing and chips over to kick start a foot race, but Bulls scramble and dot down. The ref goes back to an earlier Bulls penalty at the scrum, reminds their captain of the repeated warnings, and sends their loosehead to the bin.
56'

Scrum pen

Another scrum pen from the big men who have put in a huge shift here today. Yet another pen follows from a Bulls infringement after the lineout and another talking to from the ref follows. Edinburgh kick for the lineout only to concede a costly penalty of their own to release the pressure.
53'

Great break!

In the blink of an eye Edinburgh race 60 metres from their own try line after a couple of unforced errors from the home side. The Edinburgh attack leads to a grubber through before Kriel knocks on uncharacteristically.
51'

SUB

Speedster Vellacott replaces Price at nine.
49'

Bulls in the danger zone

Watson is pinged for a croc roll, meaning the Bulls attack from a 5m lineout. Edinburgh disrupt but knock on at the lineout, so it's a Bulls scrum in the same spot out wide and five metres out.
48'

PEN Thompson

Thompson retakes the lead for Edinburgh with the penalty kick, continuing a fine start to the half for Edinburgh (12-13).
48'

Scrum pen!

A fourth scrum penalty (and tenth overall) for the Bulls in front of the posts gives Thompson a chance to kick for the lead.
47'

Edinburgh up to the 5m...

Edinburgh banging on the door deep in the Bulls' redzone but the host's defend brilliantly to keep them at bay - Darcy Graham attacks a short ball from Wes Goosen at lightening speed but knocks on. Bulls catch a breath for their scrum, which will take place midway into their 22...
41'

Thompson the jackal

A fine turnover penalty from Ross Thompson disrupts a Bulls attack after they are guilty of over playing in attack. The #10 sends the ball deep and ER build from a lineout on the host's 22...
40'

Back underway!

Thompson's left boot gets the game back underway!
HT

Reflections on the half

A tense and terse encounter has seen both sides trying to manage the contest but neither has really got a grip with their game - two great moments from Bulls amidst a great deal from errors on both sides the real difference. Edinburgh made a much needed retort at the end of the half, with some time with a man-advantage to return to after the interval.
HT

HT Edinburgh Rugby 10-12 Vodacom Bulls

40'

CON - Thompson

Just the tonic for Edinburgh as Thompson adds the extras to Ashman's try on the stroke of half-time (12-10) - the hooker barging over as part of the combined effort from the Edinburgh maul.
39'

TTTTRRRYYYYY ASHMAN!!!! 

39'

ER battering away

Edinburgh battering away at the Bulls' try line - with a Bulls' player now in the bin.  They hold Edinburgh at bay right at the paint clear. Likely one more chance for Edinburgh in this half...
36'

Bulls getting a talking to

Bulls have seen a large number of infringements in the game, leading the match official to issue a warning to home side that more than penalties could soon, literally, be on the cards.
33'

TRY Bulls

Bulls boosted by their recent score batter their way in to Edinburgh territory, sucking all the men into the middle and creating space out wide. Van der Walt, with some work still to do, rounds his man to score against his old club, before missing the two (12-3).
30'

Bulls try

On field decision is a try for Bulls #7 Jannes Kirsten after some brilliant build up play from the hosts - Kirsten is adjudged to lose control but remain in contact, meaning the five pointer is awared. Van der Walt adds the extras (7-3).
29'

Contestable kicks creep in

Neither side keen to lose possession in the middle third sees a series of contestable kicks creep into the game, a flash beak from Ashman down the far side gives some hope but he's ushered into touch.
24'

 

Lineout comes to nowt and Bulls clear though van der Walt - facing his old team - but misses touch. ER clear their lines ones more. A crooked through from Ashman means the inconsistencies and accuracies in both sides continue to dominate the occasion - neither side yet to click fully into gear.
21'

Scrappy affair continues

Let off for Ediburgh there whose attack is miss-timed from the lineout. The ever-eager and on-rushing Bulls collect but knock on. A great scrum from Edinburgh puts them back on the attack, before earning another penalty, which they kick deep into Bulls' territory for a lineout.
20'

The Price is right

A fantastic clearance kick from Ali Price relieves a great bit of pressure - after some great defensive work from Darcy Graham - Kriel catches the ball but tiptoes into touch.
18'

Masterful turnover

Massive turnover from the Jamie Ritchie as Bulls were on the ascendancy from their scrum, carrying with gusto in the ER red zone. The back-row's timing is exceptional to get hands on the ball in heavy traffic. Edinburgh clear.
15'

PEN - Ross Thompson

Thompson strikes the ball beautifully to put Edinburgh three points to the good (0-3).
13'

Breakdown battle

Edinburgh had done well and worked hard to get their way out of danger so will be frustrated at losing possession through a breakdown infringement so soon. Bulls kick for the lineout, which ultimately malfunctions, so the visitors once again go on the attack, earning a breakdown penalty of their own in the process. Thompson fancies a shot at it...
11'

Penalty ER

Both sides clearly targeting the scrum, but Bulls eagerness is penalised. Edinburgh clear for the lineout and break through Ali Price, but a late hit on Jamie Ritchie attracts another penalty for the home side. ER lineout on the Bulls' 22...
10'

SUB

Another early change for the visitors sees Mark Bennett leave the field injured - Olympian Ross McCann comes on.
9'

(Somewhat) off the hook

Ali Price box kick is charged down as he looks to clear but with the knock on advantage, so the players will pack down once more.
7'

SUB

Dave Cherry leaves the field with his ankle receiving treatment, Ewan Ashman enters the fray.
19'

Free kick ER

Frustration for the hosts who go early on the scrum-half allowing Ross Thompson to boot the ball to safety at the ER 10m line (0-0).
5'

Resolute in defence

Edinburgh competing well in the breakdown early on, holding up the Bulls marauding maul in their 22 to earn a scrum.
0'

KICK OFF!

The whistle sounds and we're underway at Loftus!
13:57

Finishing touches...

13:55

Finishing touches...

13:55

Finishing touches...

13:29

Game Day!

Hello and welcome to the Edinburgh RUgby match centre were we'll bring you updates live from today's BKT URC clash against Vodacom Bulls at Loftus Versfeld Stadium!