Faletau back but Cardiff thrashed by rivals Bulls

Harri Millard scored his first try of the season in Cardiff's defeat by Bulls [Huw Evans Picture Agency] United Rugby Championship Bulls (33) 40 Tries: Coetzee, Grobbelaar, Kriel, Papier, Louw, Vermaak Cons: Pollard 4, Kriel Cardiff (7) 7 Tries: Millard Cons: Sheedy Cardiff endured their first pointless United Rugby Championship (URC) match of the season as they were overpowered by fellow play-off hopefuls Bulls in Pretoria. Corniel van Zyl's side had gained at least a consolation bonus from all 12 rounds before travelling to Loftus Versfeld. But they came unstuck against Bulls, who scored six tries to close to within five points of the fifth-placed Blue and Blacks.

Centre Harri Millard went over for Cardiff early on and legendary number eight Taulupe Faletau made a welcome return from injury, but it was a chastening first part of their South Africa double-header. Cardiff will attempt to get back on the horse against Sharks in Durban next weekend. Van Zyl has 'positive talks' over Cardiff top job Emanuel follows Bowen in signing new Cardiff deal Bulls have been runners-up in three of four seasons in the URC and are in good shape to make the top eight, where they will quietly fancy their chances.

They showed their quality to get the job done in the first half despite a perfect start for Cardiff in the third minute. Millard, the URC top try scorer last season with nine efforts, went over for his first of 2025-26 after midfield partner Ben Thomas gathered a loose ball in midfield. The Blue and Blacks failed to build on that because of indiscipline – they gave away just three penalties all game in the win against Leinster but matched that tally inside 13 minutes.

Blind-side Alun Lawrence was sin-binned for a cynical breakdown offence and flanker Marcell Coetzee and hooker Johan Grobbelaar went over from driving lineouts. The hosts had their bonus in the 35th minute thanks to rapid Springboks wing Kurt-Lee Arendse, who set up tries for full-back David Kriel and scrum-half Embrose Papier, before a fortunate fifth for flanker Elrigh Louw from a fly-hack by number eight Nizaam Carr. Trailing 33-7 at the break, the target for Cardiff was to score three more tries for a bonus but they never came close despite some chances in the 22.