Overview
- Trailing 33-22 at the break, Bordeaux-Bègles produced a 24-0 second half and finished with seven tries.
- Try-scorers included Damian Penaud, Louis Bielle-Biarrey with a brace, Maxime Lamothe, Boris Palu, Matthieu Jalibert and Salesi Rayasi.
- Yellow cards to Kriel in the 42nd minute and Pollard in the 52nd opened the door for sustained UBB pressure in the Bulls’ 22.
- Warm conditions near 25–27°C and Pretoria’s 1,300 m elevation added difficulty at a ground traditionally tough for French clubs.
- The result contrasts with UBB’s previous trip to Loftus Versfeld in January 2024, when the Bulls prevailed 46-40 in another high-scoring game.