United Rugby Championship: Bulls 61-24 Ospreys – Wales regional play-off hopes come true

United Rugby Championship: Bulls vs Ospreys

Attempt: Grobbelaar, D Kriel, Arense 2, Moody (2), Papier, Penalty, Le Roux Cons: C. Smith 6, van der Walt

Attempt: L. Davies, K. Williams, Giles Cons: Walsh 3 pen: walsh

The Ospreys' hopes of qualifying for the United Rugby Championship play-offs were dashed by the pace and power of the Bulls as the Welsh region fell far short of leaving South Africa with just two wins.

The Welsh side had won against the Stormers last weekend but were far from repeating that feat in Pretoria as the hosts strengthened their bid to qualify for the play-offs.

The host team reached the bonus point before the break and finished the match with nine tries.

An early try from Johan Grobbelaar's lineout drive and Chris Smith's conversion set the tone.

David Kriel scored the second goal and Kurt-Lee Arendse added the third after the Ospreys hit back with a try from Luke Davies.

Kanan Moody earned a bonus point and added his second try just after the break.

Embrose Papier cleared before Arendse could score his second goal. A penalty try from Max Nagy's deliberate knock-on on the line added to the visitors' problems, and Willie le Roux added another point.

Fly-half Smith scored six conversions for the hosts.

The visiting team welcomed Welsh hooker Dewi Lake on the bench after recovering from a hamstring strain.

The Ospreys recalled Welsh forwards Adam Beard and Gareth Thomas, as well as Justin Tipuric, as the side that beat the Stormers 27-21 in Cape Town last weekend made six changes to their starting XI, but the Bulls were without suspended fly-half Johan Goossen.

Winger Luke Morgan has made his 100th appearance for the away team.

Jack Walsh had a chance to put the visitors on the scoreboard after Grobbelaar scored from a 15-metre lineout drive, but his hastily attempted penalty shot bounced off the uprights after the ball fell off the tee. It was.

The powerful running of the Bulls forwards was always a threat, especially No. 8 Cameron Hanekom.

Center Kriel was let loose and the Ospreys underlined their ball-in-hand threat with Morgan Morris paving the way for an impressive response from scrum-half Davies.

However, a long pass from Papier, the number opposite to Davis, freed Arendse and sent him wide.

Just when it looked like the Ospreys would be able to finish off a strong opening game, they found themselves in even more trouble.

Prop Chris Henry's pass was picked off by Kriel and Moody was ready for another easy Bulls attack.

Moody extended his lead with his second try within three minutes of the restart.

Papier's simple score left the Ospreys with a big task after some light relief was provided by Kaylan Williams' try following Nagy's deft chip and gather.

Things got even tougher for the visitors when Nagy conceded a penalty score, but winger Kieran Giles produced a fine finish to touch down after being tackled in a corner.

With the Bulls denying the Ospreys a bonus point, Le Roux ran deep into his own 22 and scored another home intercept score – this time from Kieran Williams.