The Bulls suffered their second Champions Cup defeat in a row, going down 30-21 to English side Northampton Saints at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday afternoon.

This comes after last weekend’s 27-5 loss to Saracens, with the Bulls still struggling in Round 2.

The Saints scored four tries to secure a bonus-point victory.

The Bulls showed some fight, turning a 22-7 deficit into a close 22-21 battle in the final quarter, but Northampton finished strong.

Flyhalf Fin Smith nailed a long-range penalty before winger Tommy Freeman crossed for his second try, denying the Bulls a losing bonus point.

For the Bulls, flanker Marcell Coetzee and No 8 Cameron Hanekom (two) scored tries.