The Bulls team management acknowledged the stand out performance of Deon Stegmann at their post-match awards.

For a full report visit the Bulls website for the awards which take place after every match.

There were brilliant performances from many of the Bulls players who looked refreshed after a long season in 2009.

The Bulls often start fairly slowly, peaking towards the business end of the season, however in an ominous warning to their competition, they hit the ground running in the first week of the 2010 Super 14.

Deon Stegmann won the most number of awards from the first round clash against the Cheetahs, including exceptional effort, most cleans (20 in 80 minutes) and most tackles (16 in 80 minutes). However it was perhaps his tackle on Jongi Nokwe that was a try-saver at a critical period in the match that was the most important.

The biggest workrate went to fellow flank Pedrie Wannenburg. Victor Matfield made 18 cleans and Pierre Spies and Pedrie Wannenburg both made 11 tackles to complete a high work-rate from the Bulls loose-forwards and captain.

The best back was Wynand Olivier, who looked threatening with ball in hand and will be responsible for creating much of the Bulls backline moves.

Overall the side displayed plenty of positives. They adapted well to the new law interpretations (possibly the best out of all the sides), took the ball well through the phases and seemed to have turned last season’s weakness the scrum into a stable attacking platform.

4 Tries were scored directly from scrums, and in Pierre Spies they have an explosive weapon who can really utilise this platform to get the side moving forward.

Receiving the ball from kick-offs was a weakness, especially early on and lead to Lionel Mapoe’s try, but that’s an area the Bulls are usually so clinical at and I expect that to be rectified this weekend.

It all looks positive for the Bulls ahead of this weekend’s clash at Loftus with the Brumbies!