The Vodacom Bulls recovered from a 13-point half-time deficit against Cardiff on Saturday to claim their first victory in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship.

The Bulls scored two tries courtesy of number eight Elrigh Louw and wing Madosh Tambwe, while replacement outside-half Chris Smith kicked 19 points in the 29-19 milestone victory.

Matthew Screech crossed for Cardiff’s only try of the game, with Rhys Priestland contributing 14 points from the kicking tee.

The Bulls’ plans were heavily impacted when Springbok flyhalf Johan Goosen was carried off with what appeared to be a serious, non-contact knee injury, replaced by Smith.

The hosts lost Wales flanker Josh Navidi to a shoulder injury early on and were then reduced to 14 men when Seb Davies was sent to the sin bin for a no-arms clear-out into the side of Bulls fullback David Kriel.

But it did not deter Dai Young’s side who kept their composure to secure a 16-3 halftime lead on the back of two Priestland penalties and Screech’s converted try.

But the Bulls started the second half strongly with a try after just three minutes. Powerful carries from Bismarck du Plessis and Marcell Coetzee put the touring team inches from the Cardiff line and Louw took a quick-tap penalty to score from close range.

The lead changed hands for the first time when a loose pass was hacked ahead by Tambwe and the flying winger showed outrageous pace to overhaul Priestland and touch down for a try which Smith converted before stretching the advantage to 10 points with a pair of penalties.

Priestland was successful with a penalty to give Cardiff some hope, but the Bulls finished strongly as Smith secured the victory with another three points.