Leinster’s Rieko Ioane on his way to the Bulls goal line. (Photo: X/Leinster)
The Bulls’ house of cards collapsed for the second consecutive year in the final of the United Rugby Championship against Leinster in Dublin.
Last year the Pretorians lost 32 – 7 at Croke Park against the Irish club giant; On Friday evening, they defeated the underdog with 36 – 7 on the very field.
And just like in 2025, the Irish pulled away like greased lightning to simply build up a decent lead early on.
Tommy O’Brien, Rieko Ioane and Jack Conan scored tries inside the first half hour, while Sam Prendergast’s kicking foot kept the scoreboard rolling for Leinster.
A Grand Final SCREAMER! ????????
It just had to be Rieko ????????
All the Grand Final action, LIVE on Premier Sports ????#BKTURC #URC | #LEIvBUL pic.twitter.com/wxm22aKyCd
— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) June 19, 2026
After 33 minutes, the home team enjoyed a lead of 22 – 0 and the poor Bulls were completely overwhelmed.
The visitors struggled to find their feet in the game, while Canan Moodie and Willie le Roux’s clumsy interception efforts led to unwanted yellow cards.
Admittedly, the Bulls overcame a 21-3 deficit in the semi-final to beat the Glasgow Warriors at Murrayfield, but Leinster is a horse of a different colour; the best club team in Europe will not simply let a convincing lead slip through its fingers.
It’s a disastrous start for the Vodacom Bulls ????????
Canan Moodie is sent to the bin ????
???? Stream #URC on DStv: https://t.co/0P0NNhnwKw pic.twitter.com/rjmHY3d1GH
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) June 19, 2026
A quick tidbit: Referee Andrea Piardi and TV referee Matteo Liperini probably won’t get any Facebook friend requests from Bulls supporters.
Why wasn’t Harold Vorster’s try awarded and was Canan Moodie’s pass really forward in the lead-up to Ruan Nortjé’s try? Perhaps, if the score had been 29 – 21 things could have turned out differently, but Leinster deserved to win this one.
Prendergast was better than Handré Pollard, Jamison Gibson-Park was more inventive than Embrose Papier, while Hugo Keenan had more oomph than Le Roux.
And we’re not even talking about the Bulls’ initial struggles in the lineouts.
Alas, one had such high expectations for this team from Pretoria. The Bulls are certainly good enough to win a PRC final, but they will have to try again next season.
Jacques Nienaber’s defense now definitely held.
Leinster: Tries: Tommy O’Brien, Rieko Ioane, Jack Conan, Sam Prendergast and Harry Bryne. Goals: Prendergast (3) and Byrne. Penalty kick: Prendergast.
Bulls: Three: Canaan Moodie. Goal kick: Handré Pollard.
More #VURC silverware for the Irish giants ????????
Leinster Rugby hoist the United Rugby Championsip trophy high into the sky ????????#SSRugby pic.twitter.com/SLAD9Z8NpE
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) June 19, 2026