Bulls vs Ulster: Marcell Coetzee scores twice as Bulls survive fightback 34-26

Marcell Coetzee scored twice against his old club as the Bulls beat Ulster 34-26 in Pretoria. The home side had to hold off a second-half comeback after leading 21-0.

The Bulls captain was at the heart of a United Rugby Championship win built on the pack. His two tries came either side of one from Elrigh Louw, and the Bulls moved 21 points clear before Ulster had scored.

Ulster hit back

Ulster got their first points right on half-time through Chay Mullins, and flanker David McCann went over shortly after the restart to cut the gap again. Ulster were given more hope when Coetzee was sin-binned for a high hit. The TMO bunker reviewed the card and kept it yellow, but Ulster could not make the extra man count. A Handre Pollard penalty was the only score while the Bulls captain was off.

Mullins then scored his second try to put the visitors within reach. The Bulls answered almost straight from the restart, when Johan Grobbelaar crossed from close range for another try by a forward.

Stuart McCloskey set up a tense finish with Ulster's fourth try 10 minutes from time. Curwin Bosch settled it with a penalty in the last minute.

Bonus point, but no win

For the Bulls, Pollard kicked four conversions and a penalty, with Bosch adding the late penalty. Murphy converted three of Ulster's four tries. Ruairidh Campbell refereed the match.

Ulster's four tries earned them a try bonus point.

That leaves Ulster without a win in their first four URC games this season, with two draws and two defeats. BBC Sport reported that it is the first time since 2008-09 they have failed to win any of their first four league games.

Ulster stay in South Africa to face the Stormers on Saturday 31 October. After that, the URC stops for four weekends for the November Nations Championship fixtures.