The Glasgow Warriors captured their first United Rugby Championship title since 2015 with a determined 21-16 victory over the Bulls at a packed Loftus Versfeld.
Having overcome the 2022 winners, the Stormers, and the defending champions, Munster, to reach the Grand Final, the Warriors put on a stellar performance in Pretoria to avoid a third consecutive loss in the showpiece event.
Early on, the Bulls took control with two penalties from Johan Goosen, and a try from Marco van Staden, also converted by Goosen, giving them a commanding 13-0 lead. Glasgow clawed their way back into the match just before half-time when Scott Cummings powered over the line, and George Horne added the conversion to make it 13-7.
Goosen’s third penalty early in the second half extended the Bulls’ lead to nine points, but the Warriors responded with tries from George Turner and Huw Jones, both converted by Horne, to secure a thrilling comeback victory.
The Bulls, dominant at Loftus Versfeld with only one loss in their last 12 URC matches, led within the first 100 seconds through Goosen’s penalty. A second successful kick followed before Wilco Louw was denied a try by the TMO, who ruled he was held up by Rory Darge. Van Staden, however, soon forced his way through the Glasgow defense, with Goosen’s conversion making it 13-0.
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Glasgow found a lifeline just before the break as Cummings scored, and Horne’s conversion narrowed the gap. Energized by that score, Glasgow started the second half strong, though another Goosen penalty provided temporary relief for the Bulls.
Minutes later, Turner, in his final appearance for the club, scored from a maul, with Horne converting to cut the deficit to two points. Jones then put Glasgow ahead with their third try, and Horne’s successful conversion gave the Warriors the lead for the first time in the game. Jack Dempsey nearly extended the lead further, but the TMO denied his try.
Horne missed a long-range penalty attempt, and Glasgow had to withstand a tense finish with 14 players after Tom Jordan was yellow-carded for a high tackle on Francois Klopper. Despite the late Bulls pressure, the Scottish side held firm to be crowned champions.
