The Vodacom Bulls will host a United Rugby Championship closing for the primary time after they tackle Glasgow Warriors in Pretoria subsequent week.
Jake White’s prices claimed a 25-20 semi-final victory over a star-studded Leinster outfit that went down swinging at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday in entrance of a crowd of virtually 32,000, and the venue is anticipated to be crammed to capability for the 2023-24 URC decider on 22 June.
Within the second semi-final on Saturday, Glasgow transformed a 7-3 half-time lead in opposition to Munster in Limerick right into a 17-10 win to e book a spot within the finale, and arrange a titanic rematch with the Bulls at Loftus the place they’d misplaced earlier within the league stage.
THE FINAL WILL BE AT LOFTUS NEXT WEEKEND!!!!!
The inauguration of the President will probably be on the Union Buildings on Wednesday 🏉🏉🏉— Willem Strauss (@willemStrauss9) June 15, 2024
Warriors captain Kyle Steyn’s opportunistic Twenty third-minute attempt got here when teammate Richie Grey was within the bin whereas Matt Fagerson additionally noticed yellow however the guests nonetheless led on the break, with Munster’s response coming from a lone Jack Crowley penalty.
Regardless of having 63% possession and 71% territory in the course of the first half, a attempt eluded the defending champions and so they fell additional behind when Sebastian Cancelliere surged over within the fiftieth minute to assist make it 14-3.
Antoine Frisch pulled again seven factors with a transformed attempt, however the hosts had Alex Nankivell pink carded and George Horne’s ensuing 74th-minute penalty kick proved sufficient for the Scottish facet.
ALSO: One in all my greatest wins – Jake
Captain Response 🦸♂️
Kyle Steyn capitalises on free ball and hot-foots it up the park for @GlasgowWarriors first attempt of the night time! @Vodacom #URC #MUNvGLA pic.twitter.com/fT6VhaSUX5
— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) June 15, 2024
Following an early Crowley miss from the tee, a Sione Tuipulotu break had Franco Smith’s males urgent shut in for the opening rating of the match.
Mike Haley got here to Munster’s rescue, and after they superior once more from successive penalties, Grey’s yellow for offside preceded Crowley’s Eleventh-minute penalty because the holders drew first blood within the semi-final.
Glasgow hit again in although when, after the ball went free between Frisch and Nankivell, Steyn swooped in to attain from midway and Horne transformed.
Operating all the best way to Pretoria 🏃♂️
May @GlasgowWarriors e book themselves a spot within the #URC closing? 🤔@Vodacom | #MUNvGLA pic.twitter.com/vWxGY8ucwF
— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) June 15, 2024
The Warriors had been additionally now profitable the breakdown battle and Munster had been annoyed by the away facet’s defence, which was good at instances.
Huw Jones tackled Simon Zebo into contact, and Scott Cummings and Tom Jordan each earned turnovers.
Fagerson’s excessive deal with on Peter O’Mahony drew one other yellow card for Glasgow, however Munster wanted skipper Tadhg Beirne to twice thwart the Warriors in fast succession.
MORE: ‘You don’t fiddle with us at Loftus’
Glasgow wouldn’t be denied 10 minutes into the second half, although, as they moved additional clear.
Following a Horne penalty miss, Glasgow ran a Crowley chill with curiosity and the fast-breaking Jones fed Argentinian Cancelliere for a slick end. Horne provided the extras from the fitting.
With the sport slipping away, Munster earned themselves a lifeline when prop Jeremy Loughman’s spectacular run paved the best way for Frisch to attain within the left nook. Crowley’s stylish conversion introduced it again to a four-point recreation.
Nonetheless, an error-strewn Munster didn’t kick on and when Nankivell made contact with Horne’s head at a ruck, it allowed the scrum-half to e book Glasgow’s flight to South Africa.
Photograph: Lee Warren/Gallo Photos/Getty Photos
