The Vodacom Bulls turned up for business at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday. Seven tries, a bonus point before half-time, and a home URC quarter-final secured. Benetton never stood a chance.
Here’s who delivered:
SERGEAL PETERSEN — WING
Two tries. The first put the Bulls on the board. The second came directly after Benetton pulled one back through Louis Lynagh — killing any momentum the visitors had built. That timing is what separates finishers from scorers.
WILLIE LE ROUX — FULLBACK
Back at fullback after covering flyhalf the previous week, Le Roux crossed for one of the first-half tries and was a constant threat. Some players age. Le Roux just keeps producing.
JOHAN GROBBELAAR — HOOKER
Selected to start after a week on the bench, Grobbelaar rewarded the call with a try before the break. When your hooker is on the scoresheet, your set-piece is winning.
COBUS WIESE — LOCK
Dominant in the tight, abrasive at the breakdown, and over the line in the first half. Wiese is exactly the kind of lock who wins knockout rugby.
RUAN NORTJE — CAPTAIN
His first try was disallowed. He didn’t flinch. With the score at 45-19, Nortje charged past the Benetton defence to finish what he started. Leadership by example.
MPILO GUMEDE — FLANKER
Came on in the second half and crossed for a try. In playoff rugby, your bench wins you games. Gumede is making a strong case to be part of that conversation.
CAMERON HANEKOM — NUMBER EIGHT
No try, but Hanekom was everywhere — carrying hard, cleaning out, keeping the Bulls’ forward momentum alive across 80 minutes. The stats won’t show it. The coaches noticed.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Seven try-scorers. Forwards. Backs. Starters. Bench. The Bulls turned up for business at Loftus — and every one of them delivered. The URC play-offs are coming. Loftus is ready.
📸 Vodacom Bulls 45 – Benetton 19 | Loftus Versfeld | 16 May 2026
