Glasgow Warriors produced a sensational second-half comeback to stun the Vodacom Bulls and earn the 2023-24 URC title in Pretoria on Saturday night time.
Franco Smith’s courageous Warriors scored 14 unanswered second-half factors to return from behind and beat the Vodacom Bulls 21-16 in an enthralling closing at a sold-out Loftus Versfeld.
The victory marked Glasgow’s second championship, the membership’s first piece of main silverware since 2015.
It was an unbelievable effort from the Scottish facet, who additionally beat defending champions Munster at a packed Thomond Park in Limerick within the semi-finals.
For the Vodacom Bulls, it was one other closing that resulted in disappointment, as Jake White’s workforce completed URC runners-up for the second time, having additionally misplaced the inaugural closing in 2022.
This time, nevertheless, the defeat may have an additional sting for the Bulls, not solely as a result of it got here in entrance of over 50,000 followers, but additionally as a result of the house facet was accountable for the sport at half time.
A dominant first-half efficiency noticed the Bulls race right into a 13-0 lead, with Johan Goosen slotting two penalties earlier than Marco van Staden charged over for the opening attempt of the ultimate.
At that stage, the Bulls have been dominating territory, possession and the set-piece battle, however have been let down by their recreation administration and determination making in try-scoring positions, which prevented them from including to their lead.
Glasgow clawed again into the competition in direction of the top of the half and gave themselves a lift earlier than heading into the changerooms when lock Scott Cummings reached over from brief vary, decreasing the deficit to simply six factors on the break.
The message posted above the tunnel at Loftus Versfeld reminds the visiting workforce that altitude issues, however it was the Bulls who pale badly within the second half, as Glasgow began to win the kicking battle and management territory higher than they’d within the first half.
Whereas Goosen added one other penalty, Glasgow stored ramming the wall and deservedly acquired a attempt from an enormous driving maul, with substitute hooker George Turner going over.
From there, the sport belonged to the guests as Huw Jones completed off a stunning flowing transfer, with the previous DHL Stormers centre receiving an inside go from South African-raised wing and Glasgow captain Kyle Steyn.
The Bulls did obtain greater than sufficient alternatives to grab the sport on the demise, however contributed to the defeat after they conceded a penalty for a harmful cleanout simply outdoors Glasgow’s 22, earlier than Goosen rushed a penalty kick to the touch, which bounced over the lifeless ball line.
Nonetheless, there was one final alternative for the hosts, as Tom Jordan was yellow carded for a harmful deal with, leaving Glasgow defending the tryline from 5 metres out with 14 males within the final play.
Whereas Akker van der Merwe discovered his jumper, Glasgow produced a powerful counter-shove to cease the Bulls one metre brief, maintain the ball up and in doing so, clinch the URC title.
Photograph: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
