Marcell Coetzee was one of three Vodacom Bulls players sent off as they wrapped up their Vodacom United Rugby Championship tour to Europe with a defeat at Edinburgh on Friday.

The Bulls were made to toil in the Scottish capital but three cards in the second half made it a tough task for Jake White’s charges, who went down 31-23 at the Hive Stadium. They return home with 10 points from a four-week tour to host Connacht next Saturday.

Fullback Devon Williams opened The Herd’s account after a moment of brilliance from flyhalf Johan Goosen, who grubbered one through the last line before converting the try.

Edinburgh got some reprieve with two successive penalty kicks at goal, pulling back six points at the end of the first quarter.

Johan Goosen flexin’ top of the league behaviour 😎🔥🐃@Vodacom #URC | #EDIvBUL pic.twitter.com/8Mol4uvY98

— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) November 17, 2023

The atmosphere spurred the Bulls on and they were rewarded with two successful penalties by Goosen to open the lead to seven points with 10 minutes left in the half.

Not to be outdone, the hosts found their opening try from hooker Ewan Ashman to cut the deficit to two points, the Bulls leading 13-11 at the break.

However, two successive cards – red for Coetzee and yellow for Cameron Hanekom – would condemn the visitors as the hosts found two quick tries for Ashman and Duhan van der Merwe and another from Viliame Mata in the 63rd minute to find their bonus point for the night.

The Bulls pulled one back with 14 minutes left as Elrigh Louw went over and Jaco van der Walt converted.

Mata were shown yellow for a high tackle deep in their own half and the Bulls kicked for poles to pull the scores to within five with five minutes left on the clock.

But, winger Sergeal Petersen was shown yellow and the home side was handed the opportunity to kick at poles, denying the Bulls a losing bonus point.