Bulls and Sharks Secure Home Quarters in Vodacom URC Playoffs
Sharks’ Convincing Win Over Ospreys
The Hollywoodbets Sharks arrived at the match with a clear intention: grab a bonus point and send a message to the rest of the league. Their 29‑10 triumph over the Ospreys did exactly that. Early pressure paid off when Jason Jenkins sliced through the defense for the opening try, followed quickly by Andre Esterhuizen adding another. Ethan Hooker, the young centre, capitalised on a loose ball to make it three.
With three tries already on the board, the Sharks switched focus to the bonus‑point try that would seal the victory. Phepsi Buthelezi, ever the finisher, powered over in the final minutes, completing a four‑try haul. Conversion duties fell to Siya Masuku, who also slotted a penalty as the clock hit full‑time, ensuring a comfortable margin.
The Ospreys struggled to find rhythm, managing just a single try from Sam Parry, which Dan Edwards converted and added a penalty to keep the scoreline respectable. The result not only secures the Sharks a home quarter‑final but also underscores their depth and ability to finish games under pressure.
Bulls’ Dominant Display Against Cardiff
Loftus Versfeld turned into a fortress on the night the Vodacom Bulls faced Cardiff. The Bulls exploded out of the gates, racing to a 31‑0 lead before the halftime whistle. Four tries in the first half, complemented by an early penalty from Johan Goosen, gave them a bonus‑point and put the Welsh side on the back foot.
Cardiff’s response was a late‑stage rally. They clawed back three converted tries, two of which arrived within a frantic four‑minute burst near the end of the game. Those lapses exposed a defensive wobble that the Bulls will need to tighten up if they hope to go far in the playoffs.
Nevertheless, the Bulls’ first‑half foundation proved unshakeable. They added two more tries in the second half, extending the final score to 45‑21. The win propelled them past defending champions Glasgow Warriors into second place on the standings, a position that could be crucial when the knockout rounds begin.
The qualification of all three South African franchises – the Bulls, Sharks and Stormers – marks a milestone for the nation’s rugby in the Vodacom URC playoffs. While the Stormers still await their final match to confirm a spot, the Bulls and Sharks can now focus on preparing for home‑soil quarter‑finals, where familiar crowds and local conditions could tilt the odds in their favor.
Looking ahead, the Bulls will need to shore up their defensive patterns, especially against teams that thrive on quick turnovers. The Sharks, on the other hand, will aim to keep their attacking momentum and discipline, ensuring they capitalize on every set‑piece. Both squads have shown they can dominate when it counts, and their home‑field advantage could be the decisive factor as the URC heads into its most intense phase of the season.