Following a 45-21 win for the Bulls over Cardiff at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria, here’s our five takeaways from the United Rugby Championship (URC) clash on Saturday.
The top line
Despite a late mini-fightback from the visitors, this was an emphatic result and performance from the South African team as they look to be peaking at just the right time.
Tries from Harold Vorster, Wilco Louw, Canan Moodie, Cameron Hanekom and Sebastian De Klerk (2) saw the Bulls turn the screw as they moved to an unassailable lead.
Keagan Johannes slotted six conversions while Johan Goosen kicked a penalty goal before suffering a worrying injury, which took the gloss off what was a dominant win.
Cardiff did manage to salvage some pride in the closing stages as Alex Mann, Teddy Williams, and Gabriel Hamer-Webb crossed, but they came up just short of a bonus-point.
The real deal
Last year’s runners-up look serious URC title challengers again this season as they eased to this comprehensive victory on their home patch, grabbing six tries on the day.
Up-front, they are blessed with a bruising pack anchored down by Wilco Louw, Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Johan Grobbelaar, who all pitched in the tight and in open play.
Moving back, there were strong shifts from the likes of Cobus Wiese and Cameron Hanekom, and the backline purred at times, even without the injured Goosen at pivot.
No one will want to travel to Loftus Versfeld in the play-offs, and if they can sneak second place, which is looking promising, home comforts would boost their title cause.
Willie style
He’s still got it. The 98-cap Springboks legend rolled back the years today as he enjoyed an armchair ride behind a solid Bulls team that was on the front foot all contest.
Willie le Roux had a swagger as he chipped expertly, sucked in defenders with ease before putting it on a plate for a teammate and organised superbly in this maximum.
At 35, he is nearing the end in terms of his career, but Rassie Erasmus could well create a situation where he reaches that century of matches, which would be something.
Win or bust
It all comes down to Cape Town next weekend for Cardiff now after this hammering in Pretoria. The Race to Eight is still on, but they have left it all to Round 18’s clash.
Even one victory on this difficult tour to South Africa would have been quite an achievement, but the next best thing would’ve been any bonus points they could rack up.
Alas, they could not muster anything as mid-game forays they had in the Bulls’ red zone often came to nothing, due to poor execution or the Bulls’ impressive scramble.
They did manage to click in the latter stages when their crossings arrived, but it was too little, too late as they missed out on what might have been a key try bonus-point.
Bittersweet
The only negative for the Bulls today was the sight of classy fly-half Goosen being helped off the Loftus field after just 11 minutes with what looked like a lower leg injury.
Jake White was visibly frustrated to lose his number 10 at such a crucial part of the season and will be desperate to hear positive news from the medical staff later on.
Goosen has brought real structure and direction to the playmaking role of late, and it was therefore understandable to see White’s reaction as this win was bittersweet.
Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/bulls-v-cardiff-five-takeaways-as-willie-le-roux-rolls-back-the-years-but-victory-is-bittersweet
