Scarlets clinch superb win against 14-man Bulls

United Rugby Championship

Scarlets (10) 23

Tries: Macleod, Murray, Rogers Cons: Lloyd Pens: Lloyd 2

Bulls (19) 22

Tries: Moodie, Burger, Arendse Cons: Chamberlain 2 Pens: Chamberlain

A late try from Wales wing Tom Rogers secured Scarlets a notable win against 14-man Bulls in a tense United Rugby Championship (URC) encounter in Llanelli.

Replacement hooker Johan Grobbelaar was shown a red card in the 67th minute by Italian referee Federico Vedovelli for a high and dangerous tackle on opposite number Marnus van der Merwe.

Rogers then crossed after earlier tries from captain Josh Macleod and wing Blair Murray as Scarlets showed tremendous character to battle back from a 19-7 first-half deficit.

Bulls had dominated the opening half with tries through centre Canan Moodie, scrum-half Zak Burger and wing Kurt-Lee Arendse, but slipped to their first league defeat of the season.

It was a second successive victory for Scarlets following their victory against Cardiff last weekend, although they also drew their opening game of the campaign at Benetton and lost by a single point at home against Connacht.

It was also a first home win for Dwayne Peel's side since March and a first victory in five attempts against South African opposition.

The win followed up their home victory against Bulls in January 2023 and Scarlets remain the only Welsh team to defeat this South African side.

Bulls impress early on

Scrum-half Gareth Davies was making his first Scarlets appearance since announcing his international retirement, while forwards Ryan Elias and Max Douglas returned to the starting side.

Bulls had made eight changes from the side that beat Ospreys, including Wales-qualified forward Cameron Hanekom, who was the architect behind the opening score.

His searing break and and clever pass from Burger released Springboks centre Moodie to race over.

Scarlets responded with a clever long line-out to centre Eddie James with Murray going close before flanker Macleod burrowed over. Lloyd's conversion levelled the scores.

Bulls responded with Burger taking advantage of a Scarlets' defensive lapse as he cantered over down the right-hand side.

Moodie exchanged passes with flanker Reinhardt Ludwig before being pulled down short of the line. The ball went loose and wing Arendse pounced.

Lloyd slotted over a long-range penalty to reduce the half-time deficit to nine points which the home side would have been satisfied with given their lack of territory and possession.

Scarlets show true character

Scarlets reduced that gap with a well-worked move in which Lloyd made a half-break before releasing Wales-qualified wing Murray who produced a fine finish.

That was in front of Wales head coach Warren Gatland who will next Monday name his squad for November's autumn internationals.

Rogers produced an excellent try-saving tackle on lock Cobus Wiese with Bulls having to be content with a Chamberlain penalty.

Scarlets started to ring the changes which included the introduction of Wales fly-half Sam Costelow, who impressed in his 30-minute contribution.

This prompted a switch to full-back for Lloyd, who retained the kicking duties and slotted over a second penalty.

Scarlets defended resolutely with Tonga lock Sam Lousi gaining a crucial turnover, while player-of-the-match Taine Plumtree helped repel the constant attacks.

Grobbelaar was then given his marching orders before Scarlets replacement lock Jac Price was driven over, but the try was not awarded.

The hosts were patient and Rogers produced the clinical finish to give Scarlets a one-point lead, an advantage they were able to hold onto.

Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel: "I am delighted with the result. It was a big performance.

"We have been building slowly, talking about competing hard and that is what we did tonight.

"It was a victory we deserved in the end. They had some big units in their team. We had a game plan to move them about a bit with a kicking game because we knew it was wet and would be greasy under foot.

"There were some big defensive sets and what we did well was when we had opportunities, we took them.

"The two wingers scoring outstanding tries helps the game. The squad effort was big and the bench was impactful."

Bulls head coach Jake White: "I didn't think it was a red card but it doesn't make any difference what I think.

"The bottom line is that we were good enough to win that game, it should never have got to that situation in the first place.

"We turned the ball over a couple of times in the 22, lost a couple of line-outs and in the maul.

"When they got into our 22, they finished. It's tough to win away from home and Scarlets are not as poor as people make them out to be.

"They might have struggled last season but they had some injuries. They have signed some props and big back-rowers and have always had good backs.

"At certain points in the game we should have finished them off, but we didn't."

Scarlets: Ioan Nicholas; Tom Rogers, Johnny Williams, Eddie James, Blair Murray; Ioan Lloyd, Gareth Davies; Kemsley Mathias, Ryan Elias, Henry Thomas, Alex Craig, Sam Lousi, Max Douglas, Josh Macleod (capt), Taine Plumtree.

Replacements: Marnus van der Merwe, Alec Hepburn, Sam Wainwright, Jac Price, Dan Davis, Efan Jones, Sam Costelow, Macs Page.

Bulls: Henry Immelman; Sebastian de Klerk, Canan Moodie, Harold Vorster, Kurt-Lee Arendse; Boeta Chamberlain, Zak Burger; Jan-hendrik Wessels, Akker van der Merwe (capt), Wilco Louw, Ruan Vermaak, Cobus Wiese, Kuyenzeka Xaba, Reinhardt Ludwig, Cameron Hanekom.

Replacements: Johan Grobbelaar, Dylan Smith, Francois Klopper, JF van Heerden, Celimpilo Gumede, Embrose Papier, Chris Barend Smit, Stedman Gans

Red card: Grobbelaar (67)

Referee: Federico Vedovelli (FIR)

Assistant referees: Craig Evans & Nathan James (WRU)

TMO: Stefano Penne (FIR)