Bulls move up URC standings after victory over Ospreys
● The Bulls’ impressive home run in the United Rugby Championship (URC) this season continued yesterday when they put tough Ospreys to the sword at Loftus Stadium in Pretoria.
The Jake White-coached Bulls defeated their Welsh visitors 43-26 and moved up to position three in the overall URC standings.
The Bulls have enjoyed great success when playing at home this season as they have won all their four home matches.
The teams that have fallen at Loftus this season are Edinburgh, Connacht and their fierce rivals, the Sharks.
White will hope that this home run lasts long as it could be key to their mission to lift the URC title for the first time.
Last season the Pretoria-based franchise fell at the final hurdle, losing to the Stormers in Cape Town in a climax of the tournament that pits the southern hemisphere against their foes from the northern hemisphere.
The men from Pretoria have also not done that bad on the road so far, with two wins and two defeats against Glasgow Warriors and Munster in Europe.
Against the Ospreys yesterday, the Bulls launched a powerful start which saw them scoring seven tries that made it hard for the visitors to stage a comeback despite some threats in the final half. They led 31-14 at the break.
The hosts’ tries were scored by David Kriel, who crossed the whitewash twice, Nizaam Carr, WJ Steenkamp, Elrigh Louw, Ruan Nortje and Zak Burger.
Jack Walsh, Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler, Kieron Williams and Rhys Henry scored for the Ospreys to ensure they get at least a losing bonus point out of the clash.
Players such as Wandisile Simelane, Lionel Mapoe and Harold Vorster were impressive to watch.
The all-round Bulls performance gets hopes up ahead of the European Champions Cup which starts on December 9.
It is encouraging that they are able to perform to their best without their Springbok players and that means they will be even more dangerous when they have them back.
With both URC and the Champions Cup running concurrently, squad depth is going to be crucial, especially for the South African franchises as they will be playing in the tougher Champions Cup for the first time.
The Bulls have enjoyed great success when playing at home this season as they have won all their four home matches
The Bulls will welcome Cardiff at Loftus next weekend while a week later they are going to kick off their Champions Cup campaign against Lyon in Pretoria on December 10.
After the Bulls and Stormers managed good results against Ospreys and Scarlets, all eyes will be on the Sharks and Lions today as the South Africa versus Wales URC battle continues.
The Lions will take on the Dragons at Ellis Park in Johannesburg today (4pm).
The Sharks, who will be looking to return to winning ways after losing to the Bulls in the previous game, have a meeting with Cardiff in Durban at 6.10pm.