Johan Ackermann’s Vodacom Bulls ran in six second-half tries to storm past the Ospreys at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

Hooker Johan Grobbelaar scored a hat-trick, while Marcell Coetzee and Cheswill Jooste each claimed two tries as the Bulls overturned a half-time deficit in front of their home crowd, sealing a 53-40 win.

The Ospreys made the brighter start, striking twice in the opening minutes. Keelan Giles crossed first before centre Keiran Williams found space to add the visitors’ second. Flyhalf Dan Edwards converted one to put the Welsh side 12-0 ahead.

The Bulls responded quickly through Coetzee, who powered over to get the hosts on the board, with Keagan Johannes converting.

Cappy!! 🫡

Marcell Coetzee goes over for the Vodacom @BlueBullsRugby first try!@Vodacom #URC I #ExtraordinaryLeague pic.twitter.com/tCAZemdrd6

— vodacomrugby (@VodacomRugga) September 27, 2025

It was an end-to-end opening quarter, and Coetzee soon levelled matters by forcing his way through the Ospreys defence for his second try.

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Momentum swung again when Bulls fullback Devon Williams was shown a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on in the red zone. The Ospreys took full advantage of the extra space, fullback Jack Walsh exploiting a gap out wide for their third try, converted by Edwards.

Williams then grabbed his second score of the half, Edwards again adding the extras, as the visitors stretched their lead to 26-12.

The Bulls hit back just before the break, with Grobbelaar finishing off a series of strong carries near the line and Johannes converting.

The Vodacom Bulls turn to their power game 💪💪

📺 Stream #VURC on DStv: https://t.co/oJGaF7sSX4 pic.twitter.com/1ZqLMSTaX6

— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) September 27, 2025

The second half belonged to the hosts. Grobbelaar powered over for his second try before Junior Bok Jooste, on URC debut, collected a well-timed pass from Johannes and raced through to put the Bulls ahead for the first time in the match.

The Ospreys’ problems deepened when lock James Fender was sin-binned, and the Bulls capitalised. Grobbelaar completed his hat-trick from a driving maul to hand his side a 36-26 cushion.

The game then opened up, with lock Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg breaking the line and offloading to Jan Serfontein, who cruised in for another Bulls score.

The Ospreys briefly rallied through No 8 Morgan Morse, but the Bulls’ onslaught continued as replacement prop Juann Els crossed and Jooste grabbed his second of the night.

Giles dotted down for his second in the closing stages, but it was little more than consolation as the Bulls started their season on a high.

BULLS – Tries: Marcell Coetzee (2), Johan Grobbelaar (3), Cheswill Jooste (2), Jan Serfontein, Juann Els. Conversions: Keagan Johannes (4).
OSPREYS – Tries: Keelan Giles (2), Keiran Williams (2), Jack Walsh. Conversions: Dan Edwards (4).

Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images