Bristol stun Bulls 61-49 in Champions Cup classic

Bulls 49-61 Bristol, Loftus Versfeld

Bristol Bears produced one of the most remarkable performances in their European history, running in nine tries to defeat Vodacom Bulls 61-49 at Loftus Versfeld in a breathless Investec Champions Cup encounter.

In searing heat and altitude, Pat Lam’s side overcame a Bulls team featuring 10 Springboks to claim a historic bonus-point victory.

Bristol made a dream start as Benhard Janse van Rensburg opened the scoring under the posts, with Tom Jordan converting. Moments later, Max Lahiff powered over from close range after a sharp pass from Kieran Marmion. Heward then struck again, pouncing on a loose Willie le Roux pass and sprinting 50 metres to score making it to 0-21.

The Bulls responded through Jeandre Rudolph, but Bristol were relentless. Kalaveti Ravouvou sliced through the defence to secure the try bonus point inside 16 minutes, the fastest in Champions Cup history.

After Stravino Jacobs scored in the corner for the hosts, Heward finished acrobatically for his second as Bristol raced into a commanding lead of 14-35.

Marmion added another after a break from Gabriel Oghre, but the Bulls stayed in touch through Jacobs’ second try and a penalty try while Rich Lane was in the sin bin.

Just before half-time, Heward completed his hat-trick, chasing down James Williams’ kick-through to cap an extraordinary first half as Bristol went into the break with a lead of 28-47.

The Bulls struck early after the break through David Kriel, but Bristol absorbed sustained pressure and hit back decisively.

Pedro Rubiolo muscled over shortly after le Roux was yellow-carded, before Ravouvou claimed his second following a well-judged kick from Williams.

Despite a late surge from the Bulls with tries from de Klerk and le Roux, Bristol continued to match them score for score. Benhard Janse van Rensburg and the Bears’ forwards stood firm as the visitors closed out a famous 61-49 victory.

Team line up:

Bulls: Le Roux; de Klerk, Kriel, Vorster, Jacobs; Pollard, Papier; Wessels, Grobbelaar, Louw, Wiese, Nortje (capt), Van Staden, Louw, Rudolph.

Reserves: Van der Merwe, Steenekamp, Smith, Vermaak, Gumede, Burger, Gans, Petersen.

Bristol: Lane; Heward, Janse van Rensburg, Williams, Ravouvou; Jordan, Marmion; Lahiff, Oghre, Kloska, Rubiolo, Batley, S Grondona, Harding (capt), Mata.

Reserves: Thacker, Genge, Halliwell, Owen, B Grondona, Randall, Worsley, Moroni.