The Bulls beat Leinster in Pretoria, while Glasgow Warriors upset defending champions Munster in Limerick to confirm the men in blue as hosts of this season’s Grand Final.
URC SF1: Bulls down mighty Leinster at Loftus
As good as the Bulls have been this season, finishing above their semi-final opponents in second on the overall standings, there were some that maintained Leo Cullen’s Leinster outfit would be too strong for the hosts in the competition’s first semi-final at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday. Instead, it was Jake White’s men, spearheaded by a phenomenal performance from flank Cameron Hanekom, who showed they had the mettle to see off a team with 15-capped Ireland internationals in their starting XV despite a second-half head injury to the influential Willie le Roux.
The 25-20 scoreline was a good reflection of a brutal contest that could have gone either way but was ultimately decided by a resolute Bulls’ defensive system and some strong individual performances, with le Roux, Marco van Staden and Wilco Louw also being standouts. The result also ensured the final is played in South Africa for the third successive time since the URC was formed.
🐃 Elrigh Louw & Cameron Hanekom double-tackle on Caelan Doris 🦁
— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) June 17, 2024
This is how you counter-ruck turnover 22 phases of defence 💪#BKTURC #URC | #BULvLEI pic.twitter.com/Ut8nw0tmYC
URC SF2: Warriors send Munster out at Thomond Park
Glasgow Warriors produced their best performance of the season in seeing off red-hot favourites Munster 17-10 in Limerick on Saturday to book their ticket to the final in Pretoria. Franco Smith’s side withstood some good Munster play in the opening stages to ultimately come up with the goods as Alex Nankivell saw red for the hosts late on for dangerous play at the breakdown.
Although the Bulls will be highly favoured to triumph on the highveld this weekend, the Warriors did claim a losing bonus point in a narrow 34-40 win at Loftus last month. With injuries taking their toll on the South African franchise, and considering the fearlessness Glasgow are playing with at the moment, they could come closer than many expect.
Sebastian Cancelliere try for Glasgow Warriors vs Munster.#MUNvGLA #URC #BKTURC #SinBinRugby
— Sin Bin Rugby. (@sin_bin_rugby) June 15, 2024
#SUAF 🔴#WhateverItTakes pic.twitter.com/7aIbRtblta
