Summary

  • Edinburgh started URC season with home win over Dragons

  • Last season's runners-up beat Lions away from home in their opener

  • Smith penalty and Grobbelaar give Bulls early lead; Loew grounds second try with Edinburgh's Gilchrist in sin bin

  • Savala and Graham tries bring visitors back into game, but Hendricks touches down to extend lead in second half

  • Graham completes hat-trick either side of Smith penalty; Jacobs try earns hosts bonus point

  • Converted Hoyland score puts Edinburgh in front for first time but late Steyn penalty nudges hosts back ahead

  1. Until next timepublished at 15:35 British Summer Time 24 September 2022

    FT: Bulls 33-31 Edinburgh

    That's all from us today. The television coverage has cut to some ice hockey punditry, which suggests we won't get to hear from Mike Blair or any Edinburgh players.

    We'll be back next Saturday, as Edinburgh face the Stormers and Glasgow travel to Wales to take on Ospreys.

    See you then.

  2. Full-timepublished at 15:32 British Summer Time 24 September 2022

    Bulls 33-31 Edinburgh

    Despite the result, Edinburgh can take plenty of positives from that. They won't face any tougher tests this season what with the altitude and temperatures in Pretoria.

    Darcy Graham in particular was excellent - he is a world-class operator.

  3. Missed penaltypublished at 15:29 British Summer Time 24 September 2022

    Bulls 33-31 Edinburgh

    It's pushed wide of the right-hand post, and the Bulls cling on to take victory.

    Heartbreaking for Edinburgh, who have pushed last season's beaten finalists all the way.

  4. Postpublished at 80 mins

    Bulls 33-31 Edinburgh

    It is just a penalty.

    There is one second of the 80 minutes left.

    Henry Immelman has a kick at goal to win it...

  5. Postpublished at 80 mins

    Bulls 33-31 Edinburgh

    They are still watching replays of this tackle. It's high, but with mitigating factors.

    Edinburgh will have at least a penalty...

  6. Postpublished at 80 mins

    Bulls 33-31 Edinburgh

    Edinburgh win possession from the restart, and Mark Bennett gets absolutely clattered by Stravino Jacobs.

    The officials are checking the legality of that tackle...

  7. Penalty Bulls 33-31 Edinburghpublished at 80 mins

    Morne Steyn

    It sails through, and Edinburgh have just 30 seconds to find a score.

  8. Postpublished at 78 mins

    Bulls 30-31 Edinburgh

    Edinburgh collapse a maul, and Morne Steyn calls for his kicking tee.

    It's not the easiest of chances, but Steyn is a goal-kicking maestro...

  9. Missed penaltypublished at 75 mins

    Bulls 30-31 Edinburgh

    Edinburgh win a penalty at the scrum, and Henry Immelman has a pop at goal from 55m or so.

    It's hard to imagine that missing by more. Moving on...

  10. Postpublished at 73 mins

    Bulls 30-31 Edinburgh

    The Bulls are throwing everything at Edinburgh, but the Scottish outfit stand firm, and win the feed at a scrum.

    Brilliant defensive work, led by Hamish Watson and Jamie Ritchie.

  11. converted try

    Converted try Bulls 30-31 Edinburghpublished at 69 mins

    Damien Hoyland

    It's glorious from Edinburgh!

    The Bulls defended the initial maul well, but a clever wrap around sees Charlie Savala free Mark Bennett, and the centre frees his arms to find Damien Hoyland.

    The winger doesn't need a second invitation to score in the corner, and Mark Bennett adds the extras.

    Edinburgh lead for the first time.

  12. Postpublished at 68 mins

    Bulls 30-24 Edinburgh

    Edinburgh win a very kickable penalty, but with the deficit at six points, Henry Immelman kicks into the corner.

    Big chance...

  13. try

    Try Bulls 30-24 Edinburghpublished at 65 mins

    Stravino Jacobs

    The power of the Bulls shines through again.

    Thunderous carry after thunderous carry pushes Edinburgh back, before a hard line from Stravino Jacobs sees him crash over.

    The referee just wants to check something, but the TMO rules everything was above board.

  14. Postpublished at 64 mins

    Bulls 25-24 Edinburgh

    Stuart McInally goes off his feet at a ruck and is pinged immediately - sloppy.

    It gifts the Bulls territory and releases the pressure.

  15. Postpublished at 62 mins

    Bulls 25-24 Edinburgh

    Great work at the maul sees Jamie Ritchie steal possession, and Henry Immelman pins the Bulls in their 22 with another accurate kick.

    Edinburgh are starting to turn the screw a bit here.

  16. Postpublished at 57 mins

    Bulls 25-24 Edinburgh

    A precise kick from Mark Bennett trickles into touch deep inside the Bulls 22, and Edinburgh can put the pressure on.

  17. try

    Try Bulls 25-24 Edinburghpublished at 52 mins

    Darcy Graham

    A hat-trick for the Hawick flyer!

    Bill Mata takes a loopy pass inches off the ground, before flinging an audacious offload to Henry Immelman. The Edinburgh full-back finds Graham outside him, who streaks down the line to score in the corner - what a player he is.

    Mark Bennett's kick slides wide.

  18. Penalty Bulls 25-19 Edinburghpublished at 51 mins

    Chris Smith

    No such dramas off the tee for Chris Smith, who stretches the Bulls' lead to six.

    Edinburgh's ill-discipline is costing them.

  19. try

    Try Bulls 22-19 Edinburghpublished at 47 mins

    Darcy Graham

    Two for Darcy Graham, in the strangest of circumstances!

    Mark Bennett's kick at goal strikes the upright, and Graham reacts fastest to nudge a kick into the in-goal, where he dots down.

    I'd love to say they meant that, but it's a slice of luck for Edinburgh.

  20. Postpublished at 45 mins

    Bulls 22-14 Edinburgh

    The Bulls are pinged for being offside, and Mark Bennett calls for his kicking tee...