United Rugby Championship – Bulls 25-20 Leinster: Irish side edged out in semi-final

Many of Leinster’s squad had not played a game in South Africa before the game in Pretoria, and they took some time to get up to speed in the searing heat.

After a tense first 15 minutes, the Bulls began to assert their dominance and the game burst into life when Devon Williams had a try disallowed by the TMO.

Williams raced over in the corner after being found by a great pass from Willie le Roux, but it was soon chalked off after a needless foul by Marco van Staden on Ross Byrne in the build-up.

It was a let-off for Leinster, who then squandered a good chance to take the lead at the other end as Byrne was wayward from the tee with his penalty.

Leo Cullen’s side took advantage of Sergeal Petersen being sent to the sin-bin for 10 minutes for a deliberate knock-on.

After a strong maul, Byrne found Lowe out wide with an unorthodox pass and he touched down for the game’s first try.

Byrne made amends for his penalty miss by nailing his conversion.

Their lead would last just six minutes however, with Bulls’ pressure eventually resulting in a try.

Goosen darted through Leinster’s defensive line and dotted down before he kicked the conversion to bring the scores level.

A late penalty from Goosen, after Leinster’s scrum caved in, then sent Bulls in at the break leading.