The Bulls started off strongly before losing intensity in beating the Highlanders 50-35 at Loftus.

Starting off strongly, almost everything the Bulls executed led to points. 3 Tries within the first 12 minutes effectively sealed the result, and the question became; how many records would be broken?

The fastest bonus point was there for the taking, but the Bulls dropped their guard slightly with little errors and less focus and intensity as the half and match wore on.

The Bulls may well have been their own enemies, it makes it hard not to relax when everything you attempt comes off and the game appears too easy. Too often individuals started cruise control and the Highlanders, to their credit never gave up and were rewarded with 5 tries of their own.

While the Bulls scored some great tries, especially early (the superb solo effort from Gerhard van den Heever will surely rank as one of the tries of the season), it was the basics of the game that stood out to make them worthy champions again.

Danie Rousouw started this with a superb lineout steal in the opening exchanges near the Highlanders line. Instead of being kicked back deep into their half, the Bulls had possession and space that led to their first try.

Victor Matfield effected the steal at the next lineout that allowed the Bulls to maintain constant pressure, and the third try was created by superb positional play from Zane Kirchner. Kirchner is under-rated, but being able to give himself time to gather the kick and put in a superb up and under, backed up with a strong chase, led to Spies’ first try.

The Bulls will be unhappy with their defence in conceding 5 tries, a couple which were quite soft, but how much does it matter when you are consistently scoring 50?

After the match Victor Matfield appeared reasonably satisfied, but knows they’ll have to maintain their intensity for longer against the Hurricanes.

Coach Frans Ludeke said, “I am very pleased. We put 50 up again on the scoreboard and are still top of the log. One cannot complain about something like that.”

Meanwhile Highlanders coach Glenn Moore admitted that the Bulls had effectively killed the contest by building a strong initial foundation. We made too many errors early on. We dropped balls, could not cope with the high balls and allowed their ball carriers too much space. You can’t do that and expect not to be punished. Not if you are playing against a quality side like the Bulls. We fought back well, but we never really had a change after that start.”


Bulls 50
Tries: Gary Botha, Francois Hougaard (2), Gerhard van den Heever, Wynand Olivier, Pierre Spies (2)
Conversions: Morne Steyn (6)
Penalty: Steyn.

Highlanders 35
Tries: Tries: Israel Dagg (3), Tim Boys, Robbie Robinson
Conversions: Matt Berquist (3), Dagg (2)

Bulls player rating:

1. Gurtho Steenkamp – 8

Brilliant when he was on. His pace around the field is massive for a frontranker, and he has regained the form of a few seasons ago. Gets through a mountain of work on defence and appeared to injure his hamstring on a bullocking run. Let’s hope it is nothing serious.

2. Gary Botha – 7

Excellent at the set-pieces, and showed very good support play around the field as evidenced by his first try. Just lacking a little physicality around the breakdown area.

3. Werner Kruger – 7

Strong carrying the ball up when needed and performed the basics very well. Becoming more and more valuable to the Bulls side.

4. Danie Rousouw – 7

Created a great lineout steal early on and carried the ball well. Suffered a knock to the knee area fairly early, and was quiet after that.

5. Victor Matfield (c) – 0

Controlled proceedings early on. Worked out the Highlanders lineout immediately and maybe needs to ensure the Bulls force more set-pieces when under pressure. However never really any real threat of a Highlanders victory and could relax way to early in this match.

6. Derrick Kuun – 7

Created a strong presence at the breakdown, and made good decisions. I would definitely start with Stegmann however.

7. Dewald Potgieter – 7

Will be pleased to have started and get his first real game under his belt this year. Industrious as always, but maybe needs to get a bit more confidence in his execution.

8. Pierre Spies – 9

Superb.Showed once again why I call him superman as he is world class. Can pick up the ball from a standing start or a wheeled scrum and gets you over the advantage line (Ryan Kankowski could take heed and learn from this). It makes such a massive difference to getting the side on the front foot.

Handling was good on the night and showed superb following skills which led to his first try. What impressed most was his intensity every time he carried the ball up, showing his teammates what is required, and also matching this in defence.

9. Fourie du Preez -6

A quiet game from du Preez who hasn’t had to do too much this year. Not kicking a lot, and just needs to be more accurate with the box kick.

10. Morne Steyn – 8

Kicked well once again, and hasn’t had the easiest of attempts so far this year! Varies his option taking superbly and not afraid to take the ball to the line or try things.

His attitude and commitment was shown in cleaning out a ruck and mixing it with Steven Setephano. No other flyhalf in world rugby is that willing to get stuck into the physical stuff and reminds one of Butch James and Henry Honniball.

11. Francois Hougaard – 8

Dangerous with ball in hand. Has such quick feet. Scored two good tries, but needs to be a little stronger on defence.

12. Wynand Olivier – 8

Creates so many chances and gets his outside backs away. Very under-rated and possibly holds the key to the Bulls backline.

13. Stephan Dippenaar – 6

Had the chances to really shine, but had a quiet game. Missed a couple of important tackles and still learning at this level.

14. Gerhard van den Heever – 9

Scored one of the great tries at Loftus! In the 12th Minute was given the ball on the outside by Danie Rousouw and transferred the ball to his other arm, cut infield and did a superb in and out to leave the Highlanders for dead. Just brilliant, and showing how dangerous he can be. Will only get even better.

15. Zane Kirchner – 8

Superb positional play. Kicks and chases extremely well.

16. Bandise Maku – 7

Performed the basics well and a willing ball carrier.

17. Rousouw de Klerk – 7

A good match for the youngster after replacing Steenkamp early.

18. Flip van der Merwe – 6

Fairly quiet after his previous 2 performances.

19. Deon Stegmann – 7

Strong work rate and gave away 1 or 2 penalties this game. So valuable at the breakdown.

20. Pedrie Wannenburg – 6

Carries the ball strongly, but not able to bust the line on this occasion.

21. Jacques-Louis Potgieter – 7

Came on for Steyn and took good options and was very steady. Showed good physicality carrying the ball and getting stuck in around the rucks.

22. Jaco van der Westhuyzen – 7

Didn’t get much play going his way in the short time on the field.