The Premiership champions, who have struggled for form at domestic level this season, started their European campaign with a 38-8 victory over underdogs Castres last weekend, but it was a very different test.
With temperatures reaching 30 degrees in Pretoria, they had to work hard to get through the first half-hour, failing miserably when Furbank was forced off the pitch, using his shirt as a makeshift sling to support his right arm after being hit by Bulls captain Elrigh. Louw.
Early in the game, Northampton was undoubtedly helped by the Bulls’ lack of ruthlessness. The hosts may have been physically dominant, causing the visitors various problems in the scrum, but they failed to translate that into points when the door seemed wide open.
Saints conceded four penalties in the first 15 minutes – with Iyogun twice penalized for scrummaging – and twice escaped as the hosts tried to exclude, with Goosen also having the ball thrown just yards from the line.
This came after Devon Williams had missed the ball following an Embrose Papier pass into the corner, with Goosen actually converting before the try was withdrawn for review and ruled out due to obstruction by Willie le Roux.
Former Sale hooker Akker van der Merwe then launched an attack, but referee Luc Ramos had already whistled after a foul by JF van Heerden.
Northampton lost Iyogun and yet not only coped with his 10-minute absence without conceding any points, but also turned a deficit into a lead thanks to Augustus’ scoring.
The Bulls’ profligacy in attack came back to haunt them as Moodie and Le Roux chased an up kick and the center had just won the race, but as Goosen was lining up to kick the TV umpire was called again and ruled the ball had not been grounded.
When Freeman extended Northampton’s lead to 22-7, it looked like a win was in the cards, but there was always a danger that the team would tire in the heat, and Hanekom’s impressive double score added to their anxiety.
It was to Northampton’s credit that they didn’t falter and Smith and Freeman put the game out of reach for the hosts.
