Bulls-Northampton

Metres made: 307-139

Carries: 68-37

Clean breaks: 5-3

Defenders beaten: 19-9

Fin Smith's conversion is the final act as the 14 players of Northampton end the half on top despite the loss of Emmanuel Iyogun.

All to play for after the break...

Saints prop Emmanuel Iyogun is sent to the bin on the stroke of half time but it's not entirely clear what for.

What is for certain is the visitors will start the second half with 14 players.

At last, Northampton win a penalty in the scrum after a tough first half in the set-piece.

Fin Smith looks for touch and the visitors will have another go.

The ball is thrown through the hands but Bulls spill it forward. George Furbank picks up the loose ball but is whacked by Elrigh Louw without a moment's thought.

The Saints captain lands awkwardly on his arm and he is taken off for George Hendy.

Bulls have the penalty and it looks like they may take the points, but instead opt for the scrum to exert more dominance.

Bulls are over through Akker van der Merwe but it is chalked off again for obstruction.

That's two tries that have been ruled out because obstruction in this half.

The breakdown has been a real battleground and winger Ollie Sleightholme is the latest Saints player to get his hands on the ball in the ruck.

The wait for the first points goes on.

Graham McKechnie
BBC Radio Northampton sport

Bulls' Cameron Hanekom has been the outstanding player so far. He played at Franklin's Gardens and scored a try in that 59-22 win for the Saints last season.

He made his debut for the Springboks in November against Wales, and at 22 years old has massive potential.

I have to say, the stadium DJ has used every stoppage in play as an opportunity to blast out a few bangers.

As the players rehydrate, Mariah Carey's 'All I want for Christmas' is blaring on the speakers.

The referee calls for a water break as we reach the midway point of the first half.

It's around 30C in Pretoria - a tad warmer than the Saints boys will have been used to back home.

Tom Lockett is in quickly to win the penalty at the breakdown.

It allows Fin Smith to pop the ball into touch and Saints launch an attack of their own, but it's stolen back again by Bulls in the ruck.

The scrum is proving to be a bit of a weakness for Saints against a hefty Bulls front row.

The hosts win another penalty and they can thump the ball down the other end.

Lennie Newman
Former Northampton Saints player and manager

It is a dummy runner for the obstruction. I think if he hadn't committed the Saints defender he would've got away with it, it's Willie le Roux.

I think the Saints were at sixes and sevens in defence there, so it's a let off.

It's been all Bulls so far but Northampton enjoy a sustained period of possession down the other end after Rory Hutchinson hacks clear.

The white shirts bang on the door but Fraser Dingwall loses the ball in the breakdown and the chance disappears.

Bulls strike first. Or do they?

The hosts launch a swift backs move from a solid scrum and the ball is thrown wide for Devon Williams to cross in the corner.

But the try is chalked off for obstruction in the build-up.

It stays level.

Bulls have a good chance to test the Saints' defence but they are penalised for blocking at the line-out.

Let off for the visitors.