Bulls v Ulster: Five takeaways as Springboks rookie ‘man-shames’ Irish outfit and fellow Test stars make their mark

Colin Newboult
Bulls and Springboks back three stars Willie le Roux and Kurt-Lee Arendse (inset).

Bulls and Springboks back three stars Willie le Roux and Kurt-Lee Arendse.

Following a 47-21 victory for the Bulls over Ulster in the United Rugby Championship, here’s our five takeaways from the game at Loftus Versfeld.

The top line

No coach will ever say that they have seen the perfect display but what this encounter did show is that the Bulls are an incredibly well-rounded outfit under Jake White. In the forward exchanges, they were brutal, while behind the scrum, there was an excellent mix of power, pace and creativity as they hammered Ulster at Loftus Versfeld in the URC.

The scores were level at 7-7 after 10 minutes – Kurt-Lee Arendse and Jacob Stockdale trading tries – but the pressure was unrelenting from the South Africans and they moved 21-7 in front at the break through David Kriel and Johan Grobbelaar scores.

They continued to dominate in the second period and the game was well and truly put to bed through efforts from Canan Moodie, Cameron Hanekom and Boeta Chamberlain in the third quarter. Although Ben Carson and Stewart Moore went over for Ulster, the Bulls deservedly had the final word via Elrigh Louw.

Springboks class shows

White was able to name an extremely strong squad, with the Boks back in action following the conclusion of the Rugby Championship, and it showed in the end result. Heading to Pretoria is tough enough as it is but, when you see the likes of Willie le Roux and Arendse in opposition, it is even more daunting.

Le Roux was at his creative best, dictating the backline and providing options in the wide channels. While there were not too many scything runs from the experienced full-back, that is simply not his game anymore. The 35-year-old’s brilliance comes in his rugby intellect and he was able to open the space for the likes of Arendse and Test team-mate Canan Moodie to thrive.

Up front, Elrigh Louw was powerful in the carry, swatting away Ulster’s would-be defenders with ease, and he worked well in tandem with fellow Bok Marco van Staden at flanker. Meanwhile, in the front-row (more on that later), Gerhard Steenekamp and Wilco Louw were exceptional in the set-piece.

Promising from Jacob Stockdale

One stupid moment aside when frustration got the better of him, the wing was excellent in a team that were comprehensively outplayed. Once the world’s most dangerous finisher, Stockdale has endured a tough time of it after suffering a serious ankle injury in 2021, which kept him out for almost a year.

It took the 28-year-old a while to find his feet after that significant setback but there were better signs in 2023/24 and on Saturday he looked very sharp. The speedster scored a stunning individual try and then went on a mazy run soon after as the Bulls initially struggled to deal with the Ireland international.

However, as the South Africans really began to pressurise the Ulstermen in the forward exchanges, Stockdale’s influence waned. If the back three star is to get back into the Test reckoning then he needs much better support from the players alongside him but, from a personal standpoint, he is looking in good shape.

Springboks stars supercharge comprehensive Bulls win over Ulster at Loftus Versfeld

Bulls obliterate Ulster scrum

Part of Stockdale’s inability to make an impact in the second period came in part due to the sheer relentlessness of the hosts’ set-piece. Although they were dominant throughout, it was the pressure Steenekamp and Wilco Louw exerted from the off that ultimately led to the visitors crumbling in other areas.

It all starts with the big boys up front and the Bulls props certainly did their jobs spectacularly well as Andrew Warwick and Corrie Barrett struggled. Steenekamp has become a key figure in the Springboks 23 this year and you can see why as he absolutely man-shamed the Ulster tighthead, which led to his yellow card.

It could also be the case that having those international experiences elevates your game when going back to club duty and that may be benefiting the Bulls and Boks loosehead, which makes him an even scarier prospect.

White’s maturing side

The 2007 Rugby World Cup has done an exceptional job in developing this side. There was a time when they had very few Springboks in their team but, such is their players’ consistent excellence, those individuals have become impossible to ignore for Rassie Erasmus.

The likes of Arendse, Moodie, Elrigh Louw, Ruan Nortje and Steenekamp have become Test players under White’s stewardship, while Grobbelaar, Kriel and particularly Hanekom cannot be far away from taking that next step.

White has also recruited superbly well, bringing the likes of Van Staden, Cobus Wiese, Wilco Louw and Le Roux back to South Africa after stints abroad. There is a nice mix in the squad and, as a result, they are among the favourites to go one better than last year and win the title.

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