Despite a spirited second half performance by Ulster, the Bulls took the victory in a close encounter at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Round 4 of the URC.
With temperatures reaching over thirty degrees in high altitude in Pretoria, Ulster took the battle to Vodacom Bulls in a close fought match, with both sides scoring four tries each over the 80 minutes.
However the Bulls would edge the contest, showing a clinical edge from the kicking tee, with two penalties at key stages.
Ulster started the game under immediate pressure with a conceded penalty for not rolling away at the breakdown, which gifted the Vodacom Bulls the free kick to earn a lineout 5 metre out from the line.
The Bulls exhibited dominance with their driving maul and former Ulster fan favourite Marcell Coetzee powered over the line to open the scoring. Handrè Pollard added the extras to give the hosts an early 7-0 lead.
Ulster again were under immense pressure, but showed outstanding goal line defence to hold the ball up the line to deny the bulls their second score.
A phenomenal turnover by Tom Stewart allowed the Ulster captain to stretch his legs and enter Bulls territory, eventually leading to a penalty, giving Jack Murphy the opportunity to knock the ball into the Bulls corner.
A well worked line-out meant Ulster looked like they inevitably would cross the whitewash before an ill-timed knock on unfortunately put an end the Ulster attacking phases.
The Bulls returned to Ulster territory and once again showed that trademark South African physicality, eventually leading to Elrigh Louw powering over to stretch the host’s lead. With Handrè Pollard inevitably adding the conversion in front of the posts.
The Bulls picked up where they left off, once again pinning Ulster deep in their own half.
Despite further try-denying shifts in their goalline defence efforts, the Bulls would score a third of the half, with Coetzee crossing over for his second score.
Ulster began to establish a foot hold in the game with the half coming towards a close.
A slick passing move found Chay Mullins on the wing, who showed great pace to dot down for Ulster's first score of the day. Jack Murphy converted to make the halftime score 21-7 to the hosts.
HT: Vodacom Bulls 21-7 Ulster Rugby
Ulster began the second half with a sense of vigour, immediately progressing with aggressive carrying into Bulls territory.
David McCann managed to find the kink in the Bulls armour and he powered over from close range for the province's second.
The TMO was then brought into play to review a shoulder to head shot from Marcell Coetzee on Ben Donnell in the build-up to the try.
The Bulls captain was shown a justified yellow card, which after an off-field review remains a yellow card.
Ulster’s fightback was frustratingly stopped in its tracks as the Bulls were awarded a kickable penalty just inside the Ulster half.
Springbok veteran, Pollard, made no mistake as he drilled the long-range kick, to extend the hosts lead to 10 points.
A scrappy series of turnovers from both sides eventually led to Ulster getting a lineout deep in the Bulls half.
A fantastic passing move found Stuart McCloskey in space who found Chay Mullins for his second try of the match. Jack Murphy's kick went wide leaving the scoreline at 24-19 to the hosts.
The Bulls would hit back for their first try of the second half, as hooker Johan Grobbelaar broke through to dampen the Ulster comeback. Pollard's conversion made the scoreline 31-19.
Ulster showed their fighting spirit and kept fighting their way into the Bulls territory. A sublime 50:22 from Jack Murphy gave Ulster the opportunity to cut the deficit.
Ireland international centre, Stuart McCloskey, showed off his trademark dominant ball carrying and doted down Ulster’s fourth try, securing a try bonus point. Jack Murphy added the conversion to narrow the scoreline to 31-26.
Chasing a win in the dying stages, Ulster showed their ambition in attack after a break from David McCann led to Stuart McCloskey almost producing a fine offload for James McKillop, however the centre's foot had grazed the touchline.
The Bulls regained possession and were awarded a late penalty which Curwin Bosch dispatched to snatch away a losing bonus point for Ulster.
The contest finished 34-26 to last year's URC finalists, and Ulster were left to take the solitary point for their efforts in the hot conditions.
FT: Vodacom Bulls 34-26 Ulster Rugby
Scorers
Vodacom Bulls
TRY: Coetzee (2), Louw, Grobbelaar
CON: Pollard (4)
PEN: Pollard, Bosch
Ulster Rugby
TRY: Mullins (2), McCann, McCloskey
CON: Murphy (3)
Teams
Vodacom Bulls: Luan Giliomee, Sebastian de Klerk, Sango Xamlashe, Harold Vorster, Cheswill Jooste, Handre Pollard, Paul de Wet;
Gerhard Steenekamp, Johan Grobbelaar, Francois Klopper, Ruan Vermaak, Reinhardt Ludwig, Marcell Coetzee (CAPT), Hanro Liebenberg, Elrigh Louw
Replacements: Marco van Staden, Alu Tshakweni, Khutha Mchunu, Cobus Wiese, Cameron Hanekom, Zak Burger, Curwin Bosch, Dylan Maart
Ulster Rugby: Jacob Stockdale, Chay Mullins, Jamie Benson, Stuart McCloskey, Michael Lowry, Jack Murphy, Nathan Doak; Tom O’Toole, Tom Stewart (CAPT), Keynan Knox, Ben Donnell, Cormac Izuchukwu, David McCann, Nick Timoney, Juarno Augustus
Replacements: Henry Walker, Eric O’Sullivan, Scott Wilson, Eli Snyman, James McNabney, Matthew Devine, Jake Flannery, James McKillop