Former Tuks prop Ethan Burger scored a 68th-minute try as the Exeter Chiefs ended Bath’s reign as English Premiership champions.
Trailing 26-10 at half-time, Exeter defied the odds with a remarkable 27-26 victory that left the Recreation Ground crowd stunned into silence at the final whistle.
Coach Johann van Graan’s Bath dominated the first half, scoring tries through loosehead prop Beno Obano, Springbok tighthead prop Thomas du Toit, and wingers Joe Cokanasiga and Henry Arundell, while flyhalf Santi Carreras kicked three conversions.
But Exeter somehow turned things around following touchdowns from flank Christ Tshiunza, replacement wing Ben Hammersley and No 8 Greg Fisilau, with Burger’s try the clincher.
CHIEFS ARE NOT DONE YET
Sharp @ExeterChiefs hands from Ikitau, Woodburn and Slade cut Bath open – Ben Hammersley finishes it off
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— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) June 13, 2026
Centre Henry Slade kicked two conversions and flyhalf Harvey Skinner landed a penalty.
Exeter will face Northampton in the final at Twickenham on 20 June after the Saints defeated Leicester 45-31 in the other semi-final on Friday.
Last crowned English champions in 2020, Exeter will be playing in the final for the first time since losing to Harlequins five years ago.
Unstoppable Christ Tshiunza try for Exeter Chiefs vs. Bath Rugby.
Tshiunza
#BATvEXE #GallagherPrem #PremRugby #JointheJourney #SinBinRugby pic.twitter.com/fArsTea8eo
— Sin Bin Rugby. (@sin_bin_rugby) June 13, 2026
Just 12 months ago, Exeter finished a dismal ninth in the Premiership after winning just four times in a woeful campaign that included a humiliating club record 79-17 defeat by Gloucester.
“I’ve not got words to describe that, it’s mental,” Skinner said. “We showed great character. Bath took it to us for 20 minutes, we went a man down, but the key message was ‘don’t stop believing’.
“The boys showed some great fight, we stuck at it and we came good in the end.”
Chasing a second consecutive title, Bath’s hopes of a third successive Premiership final appearance were dashed in the most dramatic fashion.
Bath went through 40 phases of play during a frantic finale, but prop Billy Sela was held up over the line and the hosts rejected the chance to let flyhalf Santiago Carreras attempt a drop goal as Exeter clung to their lead.
Absolutely unbelievable.
Exeter have been like this all season.
Dogged. pic.twitter.com/JUFSXJVegI
— Tight Five Rugby (@TightFive_Rugby) June 13, 2026
Only Wasps, Leicester and Saracens have won Premiership silverware in successive seasons since the playoffs were introduced 24 years ago, and membership of that elite group continues to elude Bath.
– AFP
Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images
The post Saffa scores match-winner as Exeter shock Bath appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Former Tuks prop Ethan Burger scored a 68th-minute try as the Exeter Chiefs ended Bath’s reign as English Premiership champions.
The post Saffa scores match-winner as Exeter shock Bath appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
