Bulls 34–26 Ulster: Four-try fightback falls short in Pretoria

October 24, 2026 The Belfast Desk 0 Comments

Ulster scored four tries but fell to a 34–26 defeat against the Bulls in Pretoria, with a late penalty denying them a second bonus point from their United Rugby Championship encounter.

Ulster Rugby sign with Bulls 34–26 Ulster score across the centre — Ulster scored four tries but lost 34–26 to the Bulls in Pretoria on 24 October 2026.

Chay Mullins crossed twice, while David McCann and Stuart McCloskey also scored as Ulster recovered from a 21–7 half-time deficit at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, 24 October.

Jack Murphy added three conversions, but the visitors’ comeback ultimately fell short. Having narrowed the gap to five points, Ulster conceded a late penalty which Curwin Bosch converted to leave them with a solitary try bonus point.

Bulls build first-half advantage

The hosts established control through their forwards, with former Ulster favourite Marcell Coetzee scoring twice and Elrigh Louw also crossing before the interval.

Handre Pollard converted all three tries as the Bulls opened a commanding lead.

Ulster found a response before half-time when Mullins finished a passing move out wide. Murphy’s conversion reduced the deficit to 21–7 and gave Richie Murphy’s side something to build on after the break.

Ulster fight back through Mullins and McCloskey

McCann powered over from close range early in the second half to bring Ulster back into contention.

Coetzee was shown a yellow card following a review of a challenge on Ben Donnell in the build-up. The sanction remained a yellow after an off-field review.

Pollard subsequently landed a long-range penalty, but Ulster continued to threaten. McCloskey supplied Mullins for his second try, cutting the Bulls’ advantage to 24–19.

Johan Grobbelaar’s converted score restored breathing space for the home side before McCloskey crossed for Ulster’s fourth try. Murphy converted to make it 31–26 and set up a tense finish.

Ulster pushed for a winning score, but Bosch’s late penalty settled the contest and moved the hosts eight points clear.