Bulls will be a force in URC

The Bulls will contest the Currie Cup final this weekend and have sent a clear message to their opponents in the United Rugby Championship that they are not a team to be trifled with. 

Jake White has slowly built a formidable side, managing to attract players such as Johan Goosen, Marcell Coetzee, Jacques du Plessis and Arno Botha back to South Africa from overseas and the shrewd signings and selections are paying great dividends. 

The Bulls despatched Western Province on Friday evening to claim their place in the final against the Sharks. 

“I am very happy with how we played, think you can’t expect a full 80 minutes from a team who is relatively new to each other,” White told reporters. 

“We basically won the game in the first 20 minutes and some of the players were just outstanding. 

“The accuracy, the control and the understanding amongst the players on the field were incredible.” 

Going forward, White wishes for the Bulls to be a dynamic side. 

“I have been adamant that we don’t want to be a one-trick pony, we just don’t want to play one style,” White said. 

“Obviously as the Bulls, we pride ourselves in our forward pack, our scrums and mauls –  that is our DNA and we don’t want to go too far away from that – but you should ask different questions on attack with your backs and with certain players around line-outs or the back of lineouts. 

“The style is bearing fruits and I am hoping that we get better because after the Currie Cup Final the matches are only going to get tougher.” 

White also made special mention of the many contributions of flyhalf Johan Goosen. 

“When I coached the Brumbies, I was assisted by Steven Larkham and I just saw the value of having a ten that not only sees the space but has the ability to actually put the ball in that space, especially when he is so close to the line and Johan Goosen is no different. 

“Yes our forwards got front-foot ball and it was good, but before that Goosen’s game control and his understanding of what to do as well his follow up was phenomenal.”