The Bulls' Pierre Spies is congratulated after scoring a try at Loftus Versfeld
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Matches: Bulls 33 - 20 Queensland Reds

Tournaments/Tours: Super 14

Teams: Australia | Bulls | Queensland Reds | South Africa

The Bulls opened their Super 14 account with a 33-20 bonus point victory over the Reds in their opening clash at Loftus Versfeld.

The Reds, annihilated 92-3 on their last visit to Loftus Versfeld in 2007, led their hosts 6-3 midway through the first half thanks to a penalty from scrum-half Ben Lucas and a drop goal by centre Berrick Barnes in response to an early Morne Steyn penalty. But two tries from the Bulls on either side of half-time from Fourie du Preez and Wynand Olivier put them in control of the contest.

Reds wing Digby Ioane notched a brilliant individual try soon after and the conversion fron fly-half Quade Cooper brought them to within five points. But replacement back Burton Francis scored a try with his first touch just past the hour mark with Steyn adding the extras before slotting another penalty.

Pierre Spies put the result beyond doubt and secured the bonus point with his side's fourth try but the Reds rallied once more for a consolation score from Peter Hynes.

Bulls: Zane Kirchner; Akona Ndungane, Jaco Pretorius, Wynand Olivier, Bryan Habana; Morné Steyn, Fourie du Preez; Pierre Spies, Dewald Potgieter, Deon Stegmann, Victor Matfield (capt), Bakkies Botha, Werner Kruger, Derick Kuün, Gurthrö Steenkamp.

Replacements: Chiliboy Ralepelle, Frik Kirsten, Danie Rossouw, Pedrie Wannenburg, Heini Adams, Burton Francis, JP Nel.

Reds: Greg Holmes, Sean Hardman, Dayna Edwards, Van Humphries, Adam Byrnes, Scott Higginbotham, Daniel Braid, Leroy Houston, Ben Lucas, Quade Cooper, Brando Va'aulu, Berrick Barnes (capt), Charlie Fetoai, Digby Ioane, Peter Hynes

Replacements: Saia Faingaa, Laurie Weeks, Robert Simmons, Poutasi Luafutu, Will Genia, Anthony Faingaa, Mark McLinden