It wasn’t just the scoreboard lighting up Loftus Versfeld this past weekend—it was the Bulls’ tactical intelligence and leadership depth that really caught the eye. After their thrilling 42–33 win over Edinburgh in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship quarter-final, Bulls head coach Jake White shared key insights in a post-match sit-down with media and former Bulls, Sharks, Harlequins, and Namibian international, Renaldo Bothma.
The Bulls ran in six tries in a game that combined physical power with surprising flair. But it was Bothma’s sharp question about their strategy that set the tone for an honest and revealing conversation.
A Shift from the Maul: Why the Bulls Went Wide
Known for their set-piece dominance, the Bulls surprised many—including Bothma—when they chose to go off the top from lineouts in several crucial moments instead of hammering away with the maul.
“A couple of times today, you guys went off the top from the lineouts, which was a bit surprising for me,” Bothma noted, voicing what many fans were likely thinking.
Renaldo Bothma
White didn’t hesitate to explain. “If you’re not going to get love for mauling—and you’re not getting penalties for sacking late—you’ve got to play away from it,” he said.
He highlighted how in previous seasons, the team might’ve stubbornly stuck to a game plan that wasn’t working.
“Three years ago, we would’ve kept moaning, kept mauling, kept asking why we’re not getting rewarded. Today we changed. We adapted. That’s what I liked.”
Jake White
White pointed to one standout moment: a seamless play off the top where David Kriel looped wide, linked with Canan Moodie, and then Embrose Papier—nearly creating one of the tries of the season.
“That kind of variation catches teams off guard. Even inside the 22, we went off the top to Harold [Vorster] when most sides expect us to maul. That unpredictability is what makes us harder to defend.”
The Rise of the Senior Core
The conversation then turned to player performance, and Bothma touched on the Bulls’ noticeable shift in team chemistry and leadership—something fans have been picking up on all season.
“Do you feel like the stars are starting to align?” Bothma asked. “That players are finding their rhythm again?”
White agreed, noting that the biggest difference is the leadership shown by senior players. “Henning Gericke said something interesting—he feels, more than ever before, the senior guys are taking charge.”
And the evidence is clear. Willie le Roux, a seasoned Springbok, earned Man of the Match in the quarter-final, directing play with calm, creative precision
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“In the past, we’ve had big playoff games where our most experienced players didn’t show up,” White admitted. “This time, it’s different. Whether it’s mental prep, maturity, or team culture—it’s working.”
Jake White
White linked this to a broader rugby truth. “In the biggest matches, you need your biggest players. Victor Matfield in 2007, Duane Vermeulen in 2019—senior guys who stood tall on the biggest stage. When Willie wins Man of the Match in a quarter-final, it sends a message: the leaders are leading.”
Bulls on the Brink of Something Big
It’s clear the Bulls aren’t just relying on raw power or individual brilliance—they’re building a smarter, more balanced game. And crucially, they’re evolving.
“This group isn’t the same as the one we started with four years ago,” White said. “There’s accountability now. Guys know their roles, and the seniors are setting the tone.”
As they head into the semi-finals, with momentum and leadership in their favour, the Bulls look like a side peaking at just the right time.
