The Bulls, Munster, Leinster and Glasgow Warriors progressed to this season’s URC semi-finals while Northampton Saints were named Premiership champions on an action-packed weekend of footy.
URC QFs: Bulls down Benetton in Pretoria while Warriors send Stormers packing in Glasgow
The Bulls held off a stubborn Benetton side 30-23 at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday to set up an almighty semi-final clash with Leinster in Pretoria. Jake White’s boys were made to work harder than expected against the Treviso club, who refused to go away, but ultimately they came up with the goods in spite of a seemingly campaign-ending facial injury to Kurt-Lee Arendse.
Later in the day, the two-time finalist Stormers fell 10-27 to Glasgow Warriors at the Scotstoun. The Capetonians were guilty of missing out on a plethora of opportunities, as the hosts progressed to their first URC semi-final after consecutive quarterfinal defeats.
At Thomond Park on Friday, defending champions Munster eased past Ospreys 23-7 and will host Glasgow this weekend, while Leinster ended Ulster hopes in a 43-20 Dublin win.
When the kick connects 🤩
— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) June 8, 2024
Willie Le Roux 🔗 Kurt-Lee Arendse
Vodacom @BlueBullsRugby open the scores 💪@Vodacom #URC #BULvBEN pic.twitter.com/qwHfZ6tYr3
Gallagher Premiership Final: Saints hang on against Bath to win second title
Northampton Saints battled past a gutsy Bath outfit 25-21 at Twickenham on Saturday to clinch just their second Premiership crown. The result is just reward for Phil Dowson’s squad, who finished the regular season top of the standings, and particularly club legend Courtney Lawes, who played his 283rd and final match for Northampton ahead of his move to French Pro D2 side Brive. Bath performed superbly despite being playing for 60-odd minutes with 14 and should be proud of their efforts.
Johann van Graan’s charges were reduced to 14 men on the 22nd-minute mark after prop Beno Obano was dismissed for a dangerous hit on Juarno Augustus, allowing Saints to race into a 15-3 lead. Bath fought back to lead 21-18 with just over 10 minutes remaining, but a lovely break from Man of the Match George Hendy set up Alex Mitchell for the defining score of the contest.
Look what it means 🥹
— Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) June 8, 2024
These @SaintsRugby celebrations say it all 🫶#GallagherPremFinal | #GallagherPrem | #NORvBAT pic.twitter.com/635InUPq7y
