GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - OCTOBER 24: Bulls' Francois Klopper heads to the sin bin after being shown a yellow card during a BKT United Rugby Championship match between Glasgow Warriors and Vodacom Bulls at Scotstoun Stadium, on October 24, 2025, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Rob Casey/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Bulls captain Marcell Coetzee says his side have learned how to respond better after last October’s heartbreak against Glasgow Warriors, where a referee’s decision seemingly derailed their match.
The teams meet at Scotstoun Stadium for their Champions Cup round of 16 match on Saturday (kick-off 6.30pm) for the first time since their round five United Rugby Championship clash six months ago.
There, the Bulls led 12-7 after 60 minutes and looked poised to beat Glasgow when Springboks Kurt-Lee Arendse and Willie le Roux combined for a superb try, only for it to be disallowed due to an earlier knock-on.
Minutes later, while Glasgow were attacking, referee Craig Evans ruled Francois Klopper had gone off his feet in a maul, awarding a penalty try and issuing a yellow card.
Down to 14 men, the Bulls struggled to launch attacks and couldn’t stop Glasgow scoring a third try during the sin-bin period. They lost 21-12.
‘Stay in the fight’
Bulls coach Johan Ackermann said he was “flabbergasted” that the decision was not referred, as the footage he had reviewed showed Klopper on his feet. Meanwhile, the referee had disallowed their earlier try.
Ackermann said afterwards the match put a “big damper” on their European tour, which included a loss to Ulster and a win over Connacht, adding that they probably deserved a losing bonus point against Glasgow.
“It was so close at one stage. They managed to get a maul try and then they kind of built momentum from that. That game could have swung either way,” Coetzee said in reflection.
“I think we have a way to stay in the fight and disrupt them. I think that is the biggest emphasis we want to come in this week.”
Bulls aim to withstand Glasgow attack
The loose forward said the Bulls would back their game plan in the Champions Cup last-16 match. But even so, the game would be close and could come down to crucial moments.
“If you let Glasgow in early, they score first or they build a margin, which they always do – you know they always explode when they play on their pitch – you will be in for a long day.
“So the mindset is already ready for that. And we just want to emphasise that we control what we can to the best of our abilities.”
Ackermann described Glasgow as probably being “the best attacking side” in the competition.
The Scottish team have won 11 of their last 12 matches. They top the URC table and won all four of their Champions Cup pool games to earn the home play-off.
The Bulls are finding form after four wins from the last five games, following their seven-match losing streak earlier in the season.
