United Rugby Championship final date, kick-off time and venue confirmed
The details for the United Rugby Championship final have been announced following the last-four clashes in South Africa and Ireland on Saturday.
Bulls stun Leinster
The opening URC semi-final contest saw the Bulls take on Leinster with the hosts producing a magnificent performance to overcome the Irish giants 25-20 in Pretoria.
They dominated most facets of the play as the scoreline flatted the visitors. In the pack, Cameron Hanekom was utterly outstanding and he was ably supported by fellow back-rowers Elrigh Louw and Marco van Staden.
In front of them, Ruan Nortje was a standout at lock, while props Wilco Louw and Gerhard Steenekamp dominated their illustrious front-row opponents.
As a result, it laid the platform for Johan Goosen to go over in the first period, while the fly-half also kicked a penalty for a 10-7 advantage at the interval – James Lowe scoring for Leinster.
The Bulls extended their lead in the second period thanks to Sergeal Petersen, who benefited from Harold Vorster’s intelligent grubber through, but the Irishmen responded.
Caelan Doris touched down and Ross Byrne added a penalty to make it 17-17 with a quarter of the match remaining.
The respective fly-halves then traded three-pointers as the game remained locked at 20-20, but Petersen would prove to be the difference as he outjumped Ciaran Frawley to collect a box-kick and cross the whitewash.
Glasgow end Munster’s defence
Meanwhile, in the later semi-final, the Glasgow Warriors stunned Munster knocking the defending champions out of the URC, claiming a 10-17 at Thomond Park.
In a cagey semi-final, the Warriors held their nerve to clinch a narrow win despite seeing two players visit the sin bin. Franco Smith’s charges took a 3-5 lead into halftime thanks to a Kyle Steyn try and built on that lead in the second half as Sebastian Cancelliere finished off a stunning score.
While Antoine Frisch crossed in the 55th minute for Munster, they were left with too much to do when fellow centre Alex Nankivell was red-carded for a dangerous clear-out. George Horne converted the resulting penalty with the Scottish outfit managing to hold on for the win.
They now head to Pretoria next week for the Grand Final against the Bulls where for a third year in a row, a new champion will be crowned.
Road to the URC Final
URC final – Bulls v Glasgow Warriors
Date: Saturday, June 22
Venue: Loftus Versveld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 18:00 local (17:00 UK & IRE)
Broadcasters: SuperSport, RTÉ, Premier Sports, URC.tv