Chris Smith sends the Bulls into the Semi's nailing a drop goal to sink the Sharks

A Chris Smith drop goal with time up on the clock sealed a dramatic URC quarter-final victory for the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

The Bulls flyhalf dropped into the pocket with the two sides all square at 27 points apiece and nailed the drop goal to send the Pretoria based franchise into the final four.

CHRIS SMITH 🙌

WHAT A WAY TO WIN IT 🔥#URC #BULvSHA pic.twitter.com/C10vHGKWGp

— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) June 4, 2022

The Sharks’ pack were on the front foot for most of the match, with their scrum and maul setting the tone. But the Bulls’ defence held firm as they had to absorb a lot of pressure.

The Sharks came out firing and made most of the early play, but it was the Bulls who scored first when Canan Moodie intercepted in the hosts’ 22, with Madosh Tambwe finishing 80m upfield under the uprights.

Moodie sets the Bulls’ opening try of the #URC playoff #BULvSHA pic.twitter.com/1JET7KTsTA

— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) June 4, 2022

The Sharks hit back minutes later with a Bongi Mbonambi forcing his way over from the maul. Smith added a penalty goal to his earlier conversion, the scores were tied at 10-10 after the first quarter.

The sides would go into the break all square at 13-13.

Marcell Coetzee scored and created a try in the opening minutes of the first half with Hendricks running over after the Bulls captain's score as the Bulls went ahead 27-13.

Jaden Hendrikse dotted down for the visitors after a superb run by Phepsi Buthelezi and another from Makazole Mapimpi making it a seven-point game with 20 minutes to go.

Sikhumbuzo Notshe finished off a well-worked team try in the corner, with Bosch’s conversion making it 27-27. 

The Bulls had their backs to the wall, but forced two penalties in their own half, and from the second, they slowly surged upfield to put Smith into position, and he did not dissapoint.