Bulls usher out Super Rugby era with their fourth title

The era of South African sides in the Super Rugby finally concluded this weekend, and it was fitting that it was ushered out by the Vodacom Bulls winning their fourth title, doing it in pragmatic style winning 21-5 against the Phakisa Pumas.

This win makes them one of the most dominant sides in the competition; and in a way reminding everyone how they are part of the inner circle of the top unions in world rugby, after being out of the spotlight for many years.

Led by former Springboks World Cup-winning coach Jake White, the man from Pretoria played exhilarating rugby; rugby that left many jaws dropped; and the cliché statement ‘they are really good’ coming out often. Truth is, nobody expected them to be ‘that good’, not even Jake White who oversaw the new project, they were overly dominating, picking up five wins and one loss, running over teams like the Spanish Fighting Bulls do to Picadors.

They got better every week, they started sluggishly but made sure they got rid of that sluggishness. Wins against the DHL Stormers, Cell C Sharks and Emirates Lions proved their credentials. The Bulls were scary good; the forward pack crushing everything while the backs were stepping like they are regulars at wedding receptions.  DHL Stormers coach John Dobson made sure everyone understood how good the Bulls are after they dismantled his side 39-6, “I want everyone to know we lost to a really good Bulls side”.

Standout performers during the campaign include influential skipper Duane Vermeulen, who was able to galvanise the side with action on the field. Veteran flyhalf Morne Steyn rolled back the years, he was the epitome of what people say about wine and ageing, some are even thinking about him featuring in next year’s British and Irish Lions tour; they want the years rolled back. He further combined well with halfback partner Ivan van Zyl, who was a revelation in the tournament. Marco van Staden, Trevor Nyakane, and Stedman Gans were all just good.

The foundation for the Bulls to go on and win the upcoming Currie Cup has been laid, and they may as well trust their guard when they set into the shore of the Northern hemisphere in the form of the Pro 16, yes the Bulls will fight for the Pro 16 title.

After a trophy-less decade, Jake White and the Bulls will bask at this moment and look to add the Currie Cup that’s up for grabs. They will fly to Cape Town and face Western Province in what will be the last North-South derby at Newlands.