The Bulls play their first match in a 4 game overseas trip when they take on the Hurricanes in Napier on Saturday night.

The Bulls need at least 2 wins on their overseas trip and play a Hurricanes side which is out of form and struggling so far in 2011.

The Bulls have not been vintage this year either, so which time will be able to turn their fortunes around?

TEAM SELECTION

The Bulls have named a strong squad, and welcome back Francois Hougaard to the starting lineup.

Hougaard is a player with the ‘x’ factor and replaces Gerard van den Heever who drops down to the bench.

Gary Botha and Zane Kirchner also return to the starting line-up, replacing Chiliboy and Jaco van der Westhuyzen.

Frans Ludeke has also opted for a traditional 4-3 split on the bench, possibly influenced by Danie Rossouw’s absence from the squad. Rossouw has stayed in Pretoria as his wife gave birth to their son.

THE TRAVEL FACTOR

The Bulls only left Pretoria on Tuesday night, arriving in Wellington at midnight on Wednesday night.

It’s the same strategy they’ve successfully employed on their last 2 overseas trips, minimizing the time spent away from home.

This Bulls side understands there is little they need to do on the training field, it’s being mentally prepared and rested that will influence the result on Saturday.

The Bulls have won their opening match on tour 4 out of the last 5 years. Hopefully that is a good omen!

IT’s ALL ABOUT BASICS

Many have said the Bulls are in decline, but it won’t take much to awaken the sleeping giants.

They’ve not been their typical selves in the set-pieces, and that has put pressure on the rest of their game.

Prior to the Lions clash, Victor Matfield said, “It is definitely something that is worrying me/ “It is not something we are used to and we will have to work hard to rectify these things.”

“We always do things accurately, that’s what usually makes us good. We don’t lose a scrum or a lineout and we put other teams under pressure.”

“We are a team that is traditionally good at the detail. Our execution was always our strength, but we’re no longer accurate. I know we can fix it.”

It won’t take much to turn it around, but the Bulls can ill-afford to gift the Hurricanes with chances, despite their oppositions poor recent form.

PREDICTION

The Bulls will find this a tough match, and while I believe they are fatigued, if they keep it simple and execute the basics correctly they stand a good chance.

The Hurricanes are in a similar position of having plenty of class that can click on any given day.

If the Bulls dominate up front, and keep Steyn ticking the points over, I believe they can do it!

Bulls by 8.

Go Bulle Go!

Vodacom Bulls:

1. Dean Greyling
2. Gary Botha
3. Werner Kruger
4. Bakkies Botha
5. Victor Matfield (c)
6. Deon Stegmann
7. Dewald Potgieter
8. Pierre Spies
9. Fourie du Preez
10. Morne Steyn
11. Francois Hougaard
12. Wynand Olivier
13. Jaco Pretorius
14. Bjorn Basson
15. Zane Kirchner

16. Chiliboy Ralepelle
17. Rossouw de Klerk
18. Flip van der Merwe
19. Derick Kuun
20. Francois Brummer
21. Gerhard van den Heever
22. Jaco van der Westhuyzen

Hurricanes:

1. John Schwalger
2. Andrew Hore (c)
3. Neemia Tialata
4. Jeremy Thrush
5. Jason Eaton
6. Jack Lam
7. Serge Lilo
8. Victor Vito
9. Chris Eaton
10. Daniel Kirkpatrick
11. Hosea Gear
12. Ma’a Nonu
13. Conrad Smith
14. Julin Savea
15. Corey Jane

16. Dane Coles
17. Jacob Ellison
18. James Broadhurst
19. Mark Reddish
20. Tyson Keats
21. Aaron Cruden
22. Charlie Ngatai

Referee: Jonathan White

Previous Super Rugby results:

2006: Bulls 23, Hurricanes 26 (Pretoria)
2007: Bulls 9, Hurricanes 17 (Wellington)
2008: Bulls 22, Hurricanes 50 (Pretoria)
2009: Bulls 19, Hurricanes 14 (Wellington)
2010: Bulls 19, Hurricanes 18 (Pretoria)

The Bulls announced their 26 man touring squad to travel to New Zealand and Australia for their 4 match 2011 Super Rugby tour.

The Bulls depart on Tuesday night, arriving in Wellington on Wednesday at midnight in preparation for Saturday’s clash against the Hurricanes in Napier (a 5 hour drive north of Wellington on the East Coast of New Zealand).


The Bulls will play:
Apr 2 – Hurricanes
Apr 9 – Crusaders (Nelson)
Apr 16 – Reds (Brisbane)
Apr 23 – Force (Perth)


Despite the fractured arm sustained by Gurthro Steenkamp, the Bulls are back to full despite a few niggling injuries:
Jaco Pretorius (neck)
Victor Matfield (blow to the head)
Bakkies Botha (knee)
Flip van der Merwe (ankle).

The same 22 that beat the Lions will tour, along with Zane Kirchner, midfielder Stephan Dippenaar, winger Akona Ndungane and uncapped prop Morne Mellett.

The touring squad is:

Props

Werner Kruger
Dean Greyling
Rossouw de Klerk
Morné Mellett

Hookers

Gary Botha
Chiliboy Ralepelle

Locks

Victor Matfield
Bakkies Botha
Danie Rossouw
Flip van der Merwe

Loose Forwards

Pierre Spies
Dewald Potgieter
Deon Stegmann
Derick Kuün

Scrumhalves

Fourie du Preez
Francois Hougaard

Flyhalves

Morné Steyn
Francois Brummer

Centres

Wynand Olivier
Jaco Pretorius
Stephan Dippenaar

Wings

Gerhard van den Heever
Bjorn Basson
Akona Ndungane

Fullbacks

Zane Kirchner
Jaco van der Westhuyzen

Stats from the Bulls 30-23 victory over the Lions at Loftus on Saturday night.

Bulls 30

Tries: Dewald Potgieter, Gary Botha, Bjorn Basson
Conversions: Steyn (3)
Penalties: Steyn (3)

Lions 23

Tries: Gideon Van Rensburg; Franco van der Merwe
Conversions: Andre Pretorious (2)
Penalties: Elton Jantjies (3)

Half-time: Bulls 10 Lions 6

The Bulls team and individual effort was poor as they avoided a 3rd straight defeat at Loftus in beating the lowly Lions 30-23.

Bulls 30

Tries: Dewald Potgieter, Gary Botha, Bjorn Basson
Conversions: Steyn (3)
Penalties: Steyn (3)

Lions 23

Tries: Gideon Van Rensburg; Franco van der Merwe
Conversions: Andre Pretorious (2)
Penalties: Elton Jantjies (3)

Bulls player rating:

1. Dean Greyling – 6

Looking mobile and lean. Had a solid first effort in Super Rugby for this year, and needs to maintain discipline around the breakdown.

2. Chiliboy Ralepelle – 7

Got better as the match wore on and made a few incisive runs. His best performance in a long while.

3. Werner Kruger – 8

Would have been my man of the match as he had a high work rate around the field and was involved in everything, including a great kick ahead that led to a Bulls try for Dewald Potgieter.

4. Bakkies Botha – 5

Largely anonymous for too much of the game and his poor form may be why the Bulls pack is struggling.

5. Victor Matfield (c) – 3

One of the worst games I’ve ever seen from Matfield. Missed 2 crucial tackles late in the game that led to the 2 Lions tries. Kicking the ball dead when a 4th try was on offer signalled his tiredness which an in-form Matfield would never do. Needs 4 weeks rest!

6. Deon Stegmann – 6

Had a busy game around the breakdown but ultimately not accurate enough to be effective. Carried the ball well at the base of the maul.

7. Dewald Potgieter – 6

Had an industrious game and ran a great angle to score his try. Needs to be imposing around the breakdown and ruck however.

8. Pierre Spies – 5

Not the right player for the tight matches as he likes space to operate in. Made some basic handling erors and not getting over the gain line ofter enough.

9. Fourie du Preez – 6

Has not been at his best this year. Made some great tackles, but can leave his side exposed when rushing up in defence.

10. Morne Steyn – 6

Tackled well and kicked at goal brilliantly. On attack is causing his backline to run from too deep and they’re getting caught behind the advantage line. Needs to vary his attacking depth more and run onto the ball.

11. Bjorn Basson – 6

Cn get exposed on defence but wonderful competing for the high ball in the air. Still not convinced he deserves to start.

12. Wynand Olivier – 3

Woeful. Far too many handling errors and not strong enough on defence. Running from too deep and getting caught behind the advntage line.

13. Jaco Pretorious – 4

Very rarely does anything outstanding and the Bulls would be better off developing someone who can make a difference in the number 13 jersey.

14. Gerhard van den Heever – 3

Never had play go his way, and when it did he was average at best.

15. Jaco van der Westhuyzen – 8

Was the Bulls most dangerous player, running the ball bak strongly and generally having an attacking mindset in whatever he attempted. Was unlucky to be replaced in the second half. Not sure why you’d take off one of your best players.

Worth a go at flyhalf to see what he could spark.

16. Gary Botha – 7

Solid and took his try well.

17. Rossouw de Klerk – 6

Did his job when he came on. No more, no less.

18. Flip van der Merwe – 6

Worked hard and carried the ball strongly. Deserves a start ahead of Bakkies.

19. Danie Rossouw – 6

Didn’t have the desired impact and spilt at least 1 ball.

20. Derick Kuun – 5

Minimal impact.

21. Francois Brummer -

Not used

22. Francois Hougaard – 6

Was utlised too late but did bring grater energy to a sorry Bulls backline effort.

Bulls Forward Pack – 6

Unable to impose themselves against a mediocre Lions effort. Dominated in the maul initially but failed to use it enough in the second half.

Bulls Backline – 2

Completely woeful and coughed the ball up far too often. Would have been punished by a better side. Standing too deep on attack and getting caught behind he advantage line, something Pieter Rossouw needs to fix.

Bulls Team Effort – 3

One of the worst displays in a long time. Definitely not improving this year and other than tiredness and fatigue, not sure what is going on.

The Bulls avoided a 3rd straight defeat at Loftus with a 30-23 win over the Lions but will be terribly disappointed with their sub-standard performance.

Bulls 30

Tries: Dewald Potgieter, Gary Botha, Bjorn Basson
Conversions: Steyn (3)
Penalties: Steyn (3)

Lions 23

Tries: Gideon Van Rensburg; Franco van der Merwe
Conversions: Andre Pretorious (2)
Penalties: Elton Jantjies (3)

Half-time: Bulls 10 Lions 6


The Bulls will be pleased to have avoided their 3rd straight defeat at Loftus, but will hardly be pleased with the manner it was achieved in.

It was possibly the worst display by the Bulls this season despite achieving a 7 point victory. Victor Matfield’s decision in injury time to boot the ball over the sideline when the Bulls were 5m from the Lions line chasing a 4 try bonus point summed up the frustration for his side.

IT’S SILL NOT RIGHT

Early in the week Frans Ludeke and Victor Matfield highlighted the Bulls inaccuracies in the basics of the game.

“Of course there is a lot of hard work to be done, especially on the small things, but I don’t think it is too much of an issue at the moment. We definitely need a better effort but I don’t think it will take that much to turn it” said Ludeke.

Matfield has mentioned poor handling, poor discipline and an inability to hold onto the ball as the Bulls weaknesses this year.

“It is definitely something that is worrying me, especially after two losses. It is not something we are used to and we will have to work hard to rectify these things” mentioned Matfield.

However at Loftus against the lowly Lions, it was no better, and if anything, worse.

POOR START

Once again the Bulls started poorly with basics errors allowing the Lions to enjoy territoy and possession.

Basic mistakes, including too many dropped passes and balls in the tackle should have seen the Lions punish the Bulls, but they were just as woeful. A better side such as the Crusaders would most likely have opened up a 15-20 point lead after the first quarter.

Instead the Bulls were able to lead after having conceded the early penalty.

THE BREAKDOWN AND ADVANTAGE LINE

A rare turnover at the breakdown allowed Werner Kruger to kick down the right hand touchline that led to Dewald Potgieter running into a hole and flying onto a well directed pass from Fourie du Preez. The expected floodgates remained off however and a silly penalty on the stroke of half-time allowed the Lions to edge back to within 4.

The second half was much of the same as the Bulls at times threatened to display the sort of consistent play we have come to expect over the last 4 seasons, but errors and penalties cost them the chance of sustaining pressure on the Lions.

The Bulls could simply not win the war of the breakdown, and far too often struggled to make it over the advantage line. That may be where some of the frustration and ill-discipline stems from.

SOMEONE NEEDS TO STAND UP

At the moment there is little momentum occurring for the Bulls on attack. The kick chase is not accurate enough, and is best used as a variation as opposed to the only means of attack anyhow.

Most of the forward runners and inside backs are struggling to get over the advantage line. Chiliboy was good against the Lions because he tried to run into holes. Maybe this is where the Bulls are going wrong, because Matfield, (Bakkies) Botha, Spies and Potgieter are just not making any yardage.

In the backs it’s a different story, with the Bulls standing too deep and Morne Steyn using Wynand Olivier well behind the gain line, even for hit-ups. The Bulls have been using plays behind dummy runners, something seen more often in rugby league, and it’s just not working for the moment.

The centre combination is not a big, strong pairing in any event, and their strengths are not trying to run over the opposition, but run into space. A little more intelligence and nous on attack is needed.

BULLS HOLD ON

The Lions to their credit refused to give up, and a late score from Lions captain Franco van der Merwe in his 50th Super Rugby Match gave them a shot at a draw with a few minutes to go.

The Bulls were trying for a 4th try bonus point, but frustration and lack of confidence are probably what caused Victor Matfield to boot the ball dead when they were only 5m from the Lions line and the sought after try.

Having achieved just 5 log points out of a possible 15 in their run of 3 consecutive home games, the Bulls head overseas for what could be a make or break tour. They dislike touring, and will most likely need at least 2 wins out of 4 to seriously contend for a play-off spot when they return to South Africa.

Match Stats

Bulls Player Ratings

If the Bulls (and Boks) want to ensure 2011 is a success, they need to turn their season around with an improved performance and result at Loftus on Saturday against the Lions.

But the Bulls are not a side to lie down, they exhibit tremendous belief and desire to overcome whatever is thrown their way.

They are lucky to be playing a Lions side that has not beaten them in over 5 years, and this will ensure the Bulls have won half the battle before the game is even won as the Lions lose the mental battle.

It’s time for the Bulls to re-discover their mojo…and keep alive the dream of the hat-trick!

TEAM SELECTION

The Bulls have been forced to make 2 changes with the long term injury to Gurthro Steenkamp, and the shoulder niggle Zane Kirchner suffered against the Stormers.

Dean Greyling gets his chance at loosehead prop, and coach Frans Ludeke had this to say, “Greyling knows our systems and played there throughout the Currie Cup last year even if this is his first Super Rugby start. There will definitely be a gap we need to fill, but we do back the system.”

It’ll rob them of some much needed experience, and a player like Kirchner is not rated highly by many scribes, but I am sure his value will be highlighted more by his absence, as he simply does the basics well and has no apparent weaknesses.

The Bulls have not hit the panic button, sticking largely to the squad and tactics that have worked for them over the last 4 years.

The Bulls will be buoyed by the news that Bakkies Botha was dismissed of a charge of dangerous play against Dewaldt Duvenage, and the big man will be keen to atone for his performance last week.

MILESTONES

The Bulls have not lost three consecutive Super Rugby matches at Loftus since 2002 (when they finished with the wooden spoon).

The Bulls have won their past 9 matches against the Lions.

The last time the Lions beat the Bulls was way back in 2002!

Victor Matfield (113) will become the most capped Bulls player in Super Rugby. He played for the Bulls 105 times and 8 times for the Cats.

Matfield will also extend his Bulls and South African record as captain in Super Rugby, leading his side for the 65th time.

Morné Steyn should extend his Bulls and South African Super Rugby records for career points (814), penalties (137), conversions (145) and dropped goals (17).

BULLS JUST NEED TO BE BETTER

The Bulls are often criticised for their approach. Forget about game plans and playing the wrong tactics, the Bulls just have to be better in the basics of the game, and do what they do best with greater accuracy.

“We must do everything five to 10% better” said captain Victor Matfield this week.

“Our accuracy isn’t there. We are a team that normally strangles guys in their half and we had five opportunities last Saturday and on all five occasions we lost the ball within two phases. That is not the way we play.”

Matfield this week stressed it is important for his experienced and big name players to lead from the front. Expect a blinder from Matfield and Fourie du Preez who have too much pride in the Bulls to let them down again.

“It is very important for the top players to deliver the standard of play people have come to expect from them and if that happens, the rest will follow” stressed Matfield.

THE BULLS AREN’T PANICKING

Bulls coach Frans Ludeke has stressed that his side has faith in their game plan and tactics and do not need to panic.

“I’m not worried at all. We know we can play and if we can get one or two things to work for us things will be alright. I promise you I’m not worried that we can’t turn this around” said Ludeke.

The Bulls had a meeting with the board of directors this week, who showed their support for Ludeke, and backed him to turn things around.

“Every weekend we believe it will come right but we’ve been in this situation before, it is a long season. We back our systems and we know it will turn. We have to use that belief to change our fortunes and you cannot quantify belief. We have faith that it will turn around.”

“It doesn’t help we don’t talk around it. If there is an Elephant in the room, we can’t ignore it. What we try and do is concentrate on the positives.”

BULLS HAVE TO BE POSITIVE

Coach Frans Ludeke was highlighting his charges need to keep a positive mindset this week.

“Everyone can concentrate on 100 negative things in this game, but that will never help you. The positive things are that we have taken ourselves out of situations like this before and we have the quality players to do it.”

“This is where faith comes in, you have to back yourself and back the team. And you back yourself. I believe with my whole heart we are going to turn this around. We haven’t had the results that we have been hoping for and which we’ve worked hard for yet.”

“The seed is in the ground and we have done the hard yards in the off-season, that somewhere it has to turn. We believe it will come right this weekend.”

It is not just the mindset where the Bulls must be positive. They need to be positive in their body language, and play. They showed that when they ran the ball from deep last week against the Stormers and were clinical in scoring a great backline try in greasy conditions.

They just need to keep up the positive play.

PREDICTION

The Bulls will be supremely motivated, and shouldn’t have too much to fear from a Lions side that is still not sure how to play, and is indecisive in its decision making that comes from knowing how to win games.

If the Bulls focus on the basics, retain the ball and make first time tackles they’ll win comfortably.

If they get rattled it could be a long day, but expect a strong performance led by the experienced players and lookout for Fourie du Preez to stamp his mark on the game.

Bulls by 14.

Go Bulle Go!

Bulls:

1. Dean Greyling
2. Chiliboy Ralepelle
3. Werner Kruger
4. Bakkies Botha
5. Victor Matfield (c)
6. Deon Stegmann
7. Dewald Potgieter
8. Pierre Spies
9. Fourie du Preez
10. Morne Steyn
11. Bjorn Basson
12. Wynand Olivier
13. Jaco Pretorius
14. Gerhard van den Heever
15. Jaco van der Westhuyzen

16. Gary Botha
17. Rossouw de Klerk
18. Flip van der Merwe
19. Danie Rossouw
20. Derick Kuun
21. Francois Hougaard
22. Francois Brummer

Lions:

1. JC Janse van Rensburg
2. Bandise Maku
3. Patrick Cilliers
4. David Bulbring
5. Franco van der Merwe (c)
6. Cobus Grobbelaar
7. Derick Minnie
8. Warren Whiteley
9. Jano Vermaak
10. Elton Jantjies
11. Deon van Rensburg
12. Doppies la Grange
13. Waylon Murray
14. Lionel Mapoe
15. Michael Killian

16. Edgar Marutlulle
17. Jacobie Adriaanse
18. Michael Rhodes
19. Josh Strauss
20. Rory Kockott
21. Andre Pretorius
22. Jaco Taute

Referee: Chris Pollock (NZ)
Assistant Referees: Vinny Munro (NZ) and Fumanekile Yamile (SA)
TMO: Johann Meuwesen (SA)

Previous Super 14 results:

2006: Bulls 46, Lions 17 (Pretoria)
2007: Bulls 31, Lions 7 (Johannesburg)
2008: Bulls 31, Lions 17 (Pretoria)
2009: Bulls 16, Lions 9 (Johannesburg)
2010: Bulls 51, Lions 11 (Pretoria)
2011: Bulls 24, Lions 20 (Johannesburg)

In Dewald Potgieter’s latest column for Supersport ‘Shattered glass part 2‘, he talks about giving 100% and the commitment the Bulls will be continuing to give this season.

Like all Bulls fans I am hurting. I don’t think I’ve been this shattered, or this pissed off in a long time.

The Boks were a bit of a circus, so I can understand them having a poor year in 2010, but the Bulls…no way!

Dewald Potgieter writes from the heart and doesn’t hold back in his Supersport column. He talks about the commitment the Bulls strive for, their desperation and their over eagness to put things right.

I believe the Bulls success is their biggest weakness. Not complacency like some believe, but fatigue and exhaustion. I sincerely believe it’s affecting us so that the accurcy we are used to is not quite there.

Despite that, I like all true Bulls fans, back my side 100%. We are in this together, and we will shout till we can’t shout no more!

I love the Bulls because of their attitude. They’ll never give up, they do it for their fans and they feel for their fans, and above all they make us proud because they have an attitude that we can be proud of.

NO CHANGING OF THE GUARD JUST YET

Those who point to a changing of the guard in South African rugby…hold on.

The only side capable of matching the Bulls are Western Province/the Stormers. They’re building a similar culture and work ethic.

The Lions may get there, with time. And the Southern Kings also look to be building something special.

But it’s why I don’t rate the Sharks or the Cheetahs. I don’t believe they’ve got it right off the field, and that is what makes a side successful on it.

Go Bulle Go!

Giant Bulls lock Bakkies Botha faced the judiciary on Tuesday for a dangerous tackle on Stormers srcumhalf Dewaldt Duvenage.

Botha was found not guilty, with all charges dropped.

He will thus be available for the Bulls next match against the Lions at Loftus this weekend.

However no doubt he will be warned by his coaches to stay underneath the radar and keep out of trouble!

Bulls enforcer Bakkies Botha has been cited for a dangerous tackle on Stormers scrumhalf Dewaldt Duvenage following the Bulls 23-13 loss on Saturday.

Whilst I have yet to see the incident, it shouldn’t come as any surprise given Botha’s history with the judiciary.

It’s disappointing to see Bakkies in this (familiar) situation once more, and places the Bulls under even further pressure.

In losing 23-12 to the Stormers at Loftus, the Bulls poor team effort was not helped by individuals who failed to do their require jobs.

Bulls 13
Tries: Bjorn Basson
Conversion: Morne Steyn
Penalties: Steyn (2)

Stormers 23
Tries: Bryan Habana
Penalties: Peter Grant (6)

Bulls player rating:

1. Gurtho Steenkamp – 5

Largely non-existent, and barely made a run all game.

2. Chiliboy Ralepelle – 3

Poor with his lineout throwing when it mattered most, and gave away too many penalties.

3. Werner Kruger – 5

Tried to make a steal but got pinged. Provided a decent right shoulder in the scrums at times.

4. Bakkies Botha – 6

Battled gamely, but didn’t get over the advantage line often or strongly enough, subject to some ferocious tackling from the Stormers.

5. Victor Matfield (c) – 4

Rarely has a bad game, this was one of them. Got caught offside, and generally didnt lead his troops well enough.

6. Deon Stegmaan – 5

Tried bravely at the breakdowns but was innacurate and not helped by a tight five who were outplayed. Your fetcher flank needs to play on the edge, but Stegmann is not adjusting to the referee and is just not accurate enough for his side at present.

7. Dewald Potgieter – 4

Largely anonymous. Will need to reinvent his game as he makes enough tackles, but ineffective with ball in hand.

8. Pierre Spies – 5

Tried hard on attack, but other than one storming run in the second half failed to get over the advantage line and get his side go forward.

9. Fourie du Preez – 6

The normally calm du Preez got frustrated at times. Kicked beautifully from the base of the ruck, and strong on defence.

10. Morne Steyn – 4

Needs to take the ball flatter as his backline plays too deep. Not able to produce his normal goal-kicking success rate which really mattered in a tight game as this. Had the ability to put the Stormers behind, but couldn’t produce under pressure.

11. Bjorn Basson – 4

Took his try brilliantly, but poor on defence. Competed for the high ball well on 1 or 2 occasions, but in general his play has been poor all season and should be dropped. Cost his side by being too casual and allowing Habana to score from a kick through.

12. Wynand Olivier – 4

An error ridden performance and needs to be stronger crashing the ball up in tighter matches.

13. Jaco Pretorius – 5

Did not see much ball his way, and outdone by Jaque Fourie in the physicality battle.

14. Gerhard van den Heever – 6

Battled gamely but needs the ball in space. Still too upright in contact situations but worked well closer to the ruck.

15. Zane Kirchner – 7

Created the try forr Basson with a perfectly timed run and pass. Solid at the back.

16. Gary Botha – 5

Not much better than Chiliboy on the night.

17. Rossouw de Klerk -

Not used

18. Flip van der Merwe – 5

Failed to produce an impact.

19. Danie Rossouw – 5

Like van der Merwe, failed to ignite his side and made handling errors.

20. Francois Hougaard – 7

Immediately looked sharp and dangerous when he came on. Now he is fit again, should replace Basson.

21. Francois Brummer -

Not used

22. Derick Kuun – 5

Could not stop the rot when he came on.

Bulls Forward Pack – 3

For the second week in a row the Buls forwards got outplayed. The set-pieces were diabolical and that’s where it all failed for tthe Bulls who pride themselves on doing the basics well.

Bulls Backline – 4

Ran from too deep, and produced handling errors that stopped any momentum. Apart from a well worked try that showed how easy it can be, not much to be positive about.

Bulls Team Effort – 3

Ill discplined and getting smashed at the breakdown. When the Bulls did get the ball, they failed to utilise possession well and against a good defence like the Stormers they were made to pay.