When you face once-in-a-lifetime weather conditions and the quality opposition that the Bulls had to contend with in London on Saturday night, you almost write off the game as ‘mission impossible’ and move onto the next challenge.
But the fact is that the Pretoria side had more than enough opportunities to put up a serious fight against Saracens, and should be irked by their output in the 27-5 Champions Cup defeat at the StoneX Stadium.
Storm Darragh lashed the UK over the weekend, and Bulls coach Jake White described the wet conditions and pumping wind as “unbelievable”, adding: “It was against a good team in conditions that I’ve never experienced in my 42 years of coaching. I’m sure some of these players from England haven’t played in conditions like that either.”
Yet, if the Bulls had converted even just half of their scoring chances in the first half – when they had the strong wind behind their backs – they could have clung onto victory in the second half.
The pack almost walked forward at stages in the scrums, such was their dominance, the lineout worked reasonably well in the elements, and big hitters such as Cameron Hanekom, Cobus Wiese, Marco van Staden and Gerhard Steenekamp were making the hard yards.
Unfortunately, all that effort resulted in just a lone try by Sebastian de Klerk in the 11th minute, delivered by a terrific long pass by Willie le Roux. But the Bulls’ stalwart No 15 didn’t always make the right decisions with ball-in-hand, while halfbacks Embrose Papier and Johan Goosen didn’t use the wind to their advantage by drilling Saracens back into their half.
Sarries counterparts Ivan van Zyl and Fergus Burke showed them how it should be done in the second half when they kicked into the right-hand corner, which White said was the most difficult area to get out of due to the gate in that position.
The Bulls were missing five Springboks in Ruan Nortjé, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Elrigh Louw and Wilco Louw for various reasons, as well as top injured youngster Reinhardt Ludwig, but still had enough resources to have beaten Saracens.
“I’m not sure about (more) kicks, but again, it was just about taking our chances when we were down there,” White said.
Pinpoint Passing by Willie le Roux 🎯
— Investec Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) December 7, 2024
First score, @BlueBullsRugby 😮💨
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“What they did very well in the beginning was that they kept us tied down for long periods of time, and we didn’t finish as many opportunities as they got in the second half.
“I just think we weren’t clever enough in the first half to put points on the board and build pressure.
“Once it was 8-5, it was going to be an uphill battle from thereon in. The summary is very simple: in the first half, they got into our half – in fact, our 22 – many more times than what we got into their 22.
“It’s a 50km/h winds. We lost the toss, and it’s a bit like cricket where we didn’t really want to bat last on a turning wicket.
“I’m not for one minute taking anything away from Saracens’ performance. They bashed us at the breakdown, they were clinical.”
How did he finish that 👏🔥
— Investec Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) December 7, 2024
No one can take Ben Earl down, he went over for @Saracens bonus point try 😮💨
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Now the Bulls have to win their remaining Pool 3 games against Northampton Saints at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday (3pm start), Castres in France on January 11 and Stade Francais in Pretoria on January 18.
Throw in the United Rugby Championship showdown with the in-form Sharks in Durban on December 21, and it will be crucial six-week period for White’s team.
“If we win those three games, chances are that very likely that we’ll be in the (Champions Cup) top 16 at least,” he said.
“Then we’ve got a chance to take the next step. Everyone wants to take the high road and have home games (in the playoffs), but that’s not really the norm in this competition.
Jannes Kirsten sees yellow in London 👇🟡
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) December 7, 2024
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“So, there’s a lot still to play for. Third on the URC table, not dead in the Champions Cup, and there is a lot of rugby between now and the end of the season.
“It’s not a case of doom and gloom, but taking these learnings and getting better.”