Bulls shrug off concerted Bordeaux challenge to seal playoff berth

TSHWANE. - What initially looked to be a romp for the Bulls ended up being a squeaky bum affair when they nearly frittered away a massive lead in their 46-40 win over Union Bordeaux-Begles in their final Pool 1 Champions Cup game at Loftus Versfeld.

In reasonably moderate heat in front of a rather tiny 10 516 crowd, the Bulls lead 26-14 at the break and 40-21 after 54 minutes.

However, they allowed Bordeaux to stage a remarkable fightback that saw the Bulls not only unable to score a try in the last quarter, but required the game’s only two penalties through Van der Walt to make sure of a home round of 16 clash.

The Bulls, whose tries came from Marcell Coetzee (two), Devin Williams, David Kriel, Willie le Roux and Embrose Papier, five of which were converted by Johan Goosen, are now on 17 points after four games.

They'll await the winner of Saturday night’s game between Saracens (five) and Lyon (12) to see if they'll be hosting a playoff game.

If they finish third, they'll have to travel, something Bordeaux won't have to experience through their tries from Tevita Tatafu (two), Romain Buros, Adam Coleman, Madosh Tambwe and Paul Abadie

Unless Lyon get a big win in London that changes the points different, Yannick Bru's team will finish first and get home comforts the playoffs.

The Bulls got out of the blocks faster than a greyhound on a hunt and looked to have scored in the first minute through industrious number eight Cameron Hanekom.

However, replays showed that Hanekom wasn’t in control of the ball at the point of touchdown.

Four minutes later, the Bulls were held up over the line, but with the repeated infringements by the visitors, they paid the price in the form of South African tight-head Carlu Sadie being yellow-carded.

Th