Western Force were much improved in Pretoria, but still fell short against the Bulls
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Matches: Bulls 36 - 26 Force

Players/Officials: Jean Cook | Angus Cottrell | Sias Ebersohn | Werner Kruger | Toby Lynn | Sampie Mastriet | Morne Steyn

Tournaments/Tours: Super Rugby

Teams: Australia | Bulls | Force | South Africa

Picture Gallery: Super Rugby - Round 3

Western Force returned much improved form against the Bulls but still slipped to their third loss from as many Super Rugby matches this season.

The Force lost narrowly to Melbourne Rebels in their opener then put in a poor performance to hand Southern Kings a maiden victory in Port Elizabeth, but they tested fully the powerful Bulls at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria. They led 26-19 early in the second half, after a try from Toby Lynn, but the home side piled on 17 unanswered points to claim a four-try bonus point victory; the Force failed to claim even a bonus point.

The Bulls made a perfect start when fly-half Morne Steyn carved through the non-existent Force defence to score the try. The Force responded quickly, their new game plan after disastrous kicking in their opening two matches evident with South African fly-half Sias Ebersohn nailing a drop goal at the 10-minute mark. The teams then traded penalties, including a 58-metre goal from Ebersohn, as the Bulls led 14-9 going into half-time.

Ebersohn dropped his second field goal shortly after the restart before the Bulls scored another simple try, this time to winger Sampie Mastriet. The Force levelled the scores at 19-19 through a converted try from Angus Cottrell in the 46th minute then claimed the lead when Lynn scored the second try of his Super Rugby career; the Bulls surprisingly turned down an easy penalty goal to go for a lineout, but the visitors defence created a turnover to commence the play that led to Lynn's try to mark his 50th Super Rugby performance.

The stunned Bulls regained their composure, however, and powered home with a penalty and two late tries to overrun the Australian side.