Billy Vunipola was sent off as Saracens started their Investec Champions Cup campaign with an away defeat by Bulls.

Bulls scored two first-half tries via David Kriel and Janko Swanepoel, with the boot of fly-half Johan Goosen cancelling out Owen Farrell.

Canan Moodie added his side’s third score before Elliot Daly and Theo McFarland grabbed a try each.

England’s Vunipola was previously sent off in August against Ireland in England’s warm-up game before the Rugby World Cup.

Poor discipline proved to be a constant theme for the three-time European champions in South Africa.

Full-back Alex Goode was first in the sin-bin for a body check in the first half, then shortly after his return lock Maro Itoje was dismissed from the field for 10 minutes.

Despite defeating the 2019 Champions Cup winners, the South African side will be disappointed not to have picked up a try bonus point after playing large chunks of the game with one more player than their opponents.

Bulls enhance European value

Bulls came into the game full of confidence, third in the United Rugby Championship and off the back of convincing wins over Connacht and Sharks at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.

The South African side clocked up over 40 points in both games, with free-flowing attacking rugby.

That style of rugby continued in the early stages against Saracens, when Kriel crossed in the corner after an initial break from South Africa wing Moodie put his side on the front foot.

The inclusion of South African teams in Europe promoted a mixed response but Bulls, who reached the last 16 last season, proved their class on the pitch as fly-half Goosen exchanged penalties with Farrell.

Captain Farrell missed the defeat by Northampton last weekend because of a knee issue, meaning the game against Bulls was his first since he announced he would be unavailable for the 2024 Six Nations to prioritise his family and mental wellbeing.

With the Champions Cup now the biggest trophy on offer, the fly-half kept Saracens in touch before lock Swanepoel forced his way over after his opposite number Itoje was sent to the sin-bin.

Springbok duo Kurt-Lee Arendse and Moodie combined for the first score of the second period as Arendse sliced through the Saracens defence. But the World Cup winners could not muster up any more magic to grab the bonus-point try.

The Premiership champions will host Connacht next Saturday, while for Bulls awaits a trip to Lyon which will offer a challenge away from their Loftus fortress.

‘Discipline comes from pressure’- what Saracens head coach Mark McCall said

“I think the discipline comes from pressure. When you are losing collisions and under pressure then sometimes that lack of discipline happens.

“I thought Alex Goode was unlucky to be honest, I didn’t agree with that decision, Billy was trying to be urgent and clear out from a line-out and got it wrong. These things happen sometimes.

“I’m pleased we fought back hard in the second half but disappointed with the first half.”

Line-ups

Bulls: Le Roux; Arendse, Gans, Kriel, Moodie; Goosen, Papier; Steenekamp, Van der Merwe, W Louw, Swanepoel, Ludwig, Van Staden, E Louw (capt), Hanekom.

Replacements: Wessels, Matanzima, Smith, Slabbert, Coetzee, Burger, Van der Walt, Petersen.

Saracens: Goode; Lewington, Daly, Tompkins, Maitland; Farrell (capt), Van Zyl; Ma Vunipola, George, Clarey, Itoje, Tizard, Gonzalez, Christie, B Vunipola.

Replacements: Dan, West, Judge, McFarland, Knight, Davies, Hartley, Cinti.

Referee: Andrea Piardi

Sin-bins: Alex Goode (26), Maro Itoje (39) Janko Swanepoel (70)

Red card: B Vunipola (52)