Springboks Speedster Moodie Inspires Bulls to Decisive Victory Over Benetton in United Rugby Championship Clash
Pretoria, May 18, 2024 – In a thrilling United Rugby Championship encounter at Loftus Versfeld, the Bulls secured a dominant 56-35 victory over Italian side Benetton, thanks to a hat-trick from Springboks speedster Canan Moodie.
The fast-paced and entertaining match saw the home team outscoring their visitors by nine tries to five, with David Kriel (2), Kurtley Arendse, Ruan Nortje, Akker van der Merwe, and Johan Grobbelaar also crossing the line. Bulls fly-half Johan Goosen slotted four conversions, while Chris Smith added a penalty.
For Benetton, Onisi Ratave, Gianmarco Lucchesi, Andy Uren, Toa Halafihi, and Marco Zanon scored the tries, with Rhyno Smith succeeding with five conversions.
“The Bulls were quick out of the blocks, with Moodie scoring the opening try in the second minute after a lineout on Benetton’s five-meter line.”
The Bulls were quick out of the blocks, with Moodie scoring the opening try in the second minute after a lineout on Benetton’s five-meter line. The home side then extended their lead to 19-0 by the 20th minute, with Arendse and Kriel both scoring tries.
Benetton had their chances, with Gianmarco Lucchesi making a superb line break, but they were unable to capitalize. However, the visitors did eventually get on the scoreboard when Ratave crossed the whitewash in the 60th minute.
Moodie then scored his second try before Benetton’s Lucchesi crossed just before the interval, leaving the Bulls with a 31-14 lead at the break.
The second half saw a flurry of tries, with the Bulls extending their lead to 43-21 by the 55th minute through tries from Van der Merwe and Kriel. Moodie then completed his hat-trick, but Benetton refused to surrender, with Halafihi and Zanon scoring late tries for the visitors.
The result means the Bulls have secured a home fixture in the United Rugby Championship’s quarter-finals, ahead of the last round of matches in a fortnight’s time.
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