Ulster’s first defeat of the campaign came with a redeeming try bonus point, owed to a strong performance in the second half. Despite an initially dismal start, with the Lions leading 15-0 and then 30-10 at various points, the Ulster team managed to leave Johannesburg with some degree of consolation.
Richie Murphy’s team had a tough time on the offensive and conceded five tries. However, they also made four successful tries themselves. Taking advantage of opportunities, players John Cooney, Aidan Morgan, Werner Kok and Corrie Barrett, each contributed to Ulster’s score, although Nathan Doak could only convert one after two of Cooney’s attempts went awry.
Given the demanding atmosphere due to Johannesburg’s heat and thin air, Ulster predictably found it tough from the get-go. Despite facing challenges against the Lion’s maul and pace, they gradually improved their game.
The Lions claimed their first score nine minutes in, when PJ Botha and Francke Horn worked together to enable winger Rabz Maxwane to secure a cosy try. Kade Wolhuter’s extras were left unconverted, but he managed a penalty 15 minutes in, putting the Lions ahead by eight without a reply from Ulster.
Ulster encountered difficulty even when they obtained front-foot from Ethan McIlroy, resulting in the loss of possession and a powerful 50-22 run from Quan Horn, taking him within five meters of Ulster’s line.
An attempt by Botha from a following line-out was nullified due to an offside. The rest of the first half saw the Lions persistently pushing forward while Ulster tenaciously hung on. Nevertheless, the Lions eventually managed to push a ball to the corner and successfully maul over, three minutes past half-hour.
Captain Francke Horn of the Lions managed to land the ball, with the additional conversion by Wolhuter, catapulting the home team to a remarkable 15-0 lead. The onus was then on Ulster to strategize a way to remain in contention, a feat they managed to achieve just as the closing whistle of the first half was about to blow. An exhaustive onslaught of consecutive phases resulted in a penalty for them, which saw the ball in the corner and followed by impressive strides from Stuart McCloskey and Nick Timoney. From a short distance, it was Cooney who grounded the ball. Despite failing to convert, Ulster managed to get on the scoreboard before the half-time break, trailing 15-5 to the Lions.
As play resumed after the break, Ulster reduced the deficit slightly when a splendid team effort got Morgan to score, but this too went unconverted. The tide shifted quickly in favour of the Lions as Franco Marais scored a try and a bonus point was secured 49 minutes into the game thanks to Quan Horn who navigated his way through lackluster Ulster defence, leading to a sprint for Henco van Wyk under the uprights, converted by Wolhuter. The scoreline was later extended by Wolhuter’s 56-minute penalty to 30-10. However, Ulster managed to cross the line twice more, credit to their substitutes.
Doak’s kick was converted by Kok for his first ever Ulster score and as the clock ticked, Barrett dove over to gain an unexpected try bonus point for the team. Again, Doak converted this but the hopes of Ulster for another two points were dashed by Wolhuter’s try in the 79th minute.
The original text reveals information about replacements and team rosters for Ulster Rugby. At 40 minutes, H van Wyk stepped in for Mafura. Similarly, F Marais replaced Botha, and J Schoeman came on for Naude both at 44 minutes. When the game was at 55 minutes, S Qoma took over from Venter. R Schoeman and N Steyn replaced Nothnagel and Nohamba respectively at 61 minutes. At 65 minutes, C van Vuuren came on for Ntlabakanye, and R du Plessis substituted Cairns at 69 minutes.
Starting for Ulster were E McIlroy, W Kok, S Moore, S McCloskey, J Stockdale, A Morgan, J Cooney, A Warwick, J Andrew, T O’Toole, K Treadwell, A O’Connor who was captain, accompanied by Matty Rea, S Reffell, and N Timoney.
This team witnessed a round of substitutions at 51 minutes; J McCormick came in for Andrew, E O’Sullivan took Warwick’s position, C Barrett replaced O’Toole, I Henderson substituted Treadwell, and D McCann came on for Rea. At 55 minutes, N Doak replaced Cooney, then at 61 minutes, J McNabney came in for O’Connor. Lastly, M Lowry took McIlroy’s place at 65 minutes.
The referee of the match was S Grove-White from the Scottish Rugby Union (SRU).