Following a 28-7 victory for Ulster over the Bulls in the United Rugby Championship (URC), here’s our five takeaways from the clash at Affidea Stadium on Saturday.
The top line
Ulster produced a hugely impressive performance to secure their second win out of two games and thus end the unbeaten streak of the Bulls in emphatic fashion in Belfast.
Tries from Stuart McCloskey, Juarno Augustus, Rob Herring and Cormac Izuchukwu saw them to a maximum while Nathan Doak sent over four conversions on the night.
Wilco Louw was the Bulls’ only try scorer on a forgetful outing for Johan Ackermann’s men, who had beaten the Ospreys and Leinster in the opening rounds in Pretoria.
Second half swing
A 7-7 scoreline at the break after a disappointing half had this game in the balance, but what transpired after the break was chalk and cheese for the respective URC sides.
Ulster moved through the gears in terms of their execution, desire and physicality while in contrast the Bulls went into their shell and were a shadow of their early selves.
Indeed, the South Africans were unrecognisable as their set-piece went to pieces and game management was dire, which was surprising with Handre Pollard at the wheel.
Springboks struggle
Leading on from that Bulls fans will be disappointed with their Springboks returning from Rugby Championship duty as only one stood up tall in disappointing showings.
That man was prop Louw, who was his usual destructive self early on as he flexed at scrum time, crashed over the whitewash for a score and later made a steal in contact.
However, that was the only bright spark in their Springbok contingent as the likes of Canan Moodie, Pollard, Willie le Roux and Marco van Staden were very out of sorts.
Ireland quartet press their case
From an Ireland perspective it was a wonderful night for McCloskey, Doak, Izuchukwu and Jacob Stockdale, who all threw down statement showings ahead of the autumn.
The uncapped Doak managed this fixture expertly while McCloskey was a handful throughout and Izuchukwu was everywhere before injury struck in the aftermath of his well-taken try. But it was Stockdale who really caught the eye as he posed a threat from full-back, was solid in the air and caused the Bulls ample problems in an impressive showing.
Augustus a hit
It was also a standout performance from Ulster’s new signing, who is guaranteed to become a fan favourite at Affidea Stadium thanks to his destructive game and work-rate.
Augustus was everywhere in his second game for the province and alongside David McCann and Nick Timoney, Ulster have a well-balanced back-row unit this campaign.
What a signing this South African eight is and if he continues on this trajectory there is little doubt he will be pressing hard for Springboks caps in November and beyond.
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