Bulls celebrate Jake White contract extension by taming the Lions

The Bulls celebrated director of rugby Jake White getting a new long-term contract by opening their URC campaign with a 31-15 win over the Lions in Johannesburg. World Cup-winning coach White signed on until 2027 on Friday and will hope to see his side go one better this season after finishing as runners-up to the Stormers last time around.

Marcell Coetzee took only three minutes to score the game’s first try, which was then added to by Cornal Hendricks midway through the opening period. The Lions fought back from 15-3 down to level at 15-15 with the help of tries from Francke Horn and Marius Louw but the boot of Chris Smith re-established a Bulls cushion.

Smith kicked 14 points in total and Jan-Hendrik Wessels’ try from a driving maul eight minutes from time made sure of the win, with fellow replacement Morne Steyn adding the extras.