Back-to-back comeback wins in Europe have reignited the Bulls’ season and sharpened their URC ambitions, writes MARK KEOHANE.
Writing for the Sunday Times, Keohane says the Bulls’ two-point victories in Pau and Edinburgh have transformed a campaign that looked lost just a fortnight ago.
After losing seven straight matches across competitions, the Bulls trailed by 12 points at half-time in both fixtures.
In Pau, they fought back from 24-12 to win 26-24, with Handre Pollard’s late conversion decisive. A week later in Edinburgh, they again overturned a 12-point deficit, Pollard’s second-half kick sealing another narrow escape, 19-17.
Those wins have revived their Investec Champions Cup hopes and “awoke their play-off aspirations” in the URC after breaking a four-match losing run.
KEO: Johan Grobbelaar pure gold in precious Bulls URC win
For Keohane, Springbok hooker Johan Grobbelaar was outstanding in Edinburgh, playing the full 80 minutes and earning Man of the Match honours with his work rate and ball-carrying. Off the bench, replacement winger Stravino Jacobs added pace and urgency, while Marco van Staden brought physical edge and menace.
Keohane writes that coach Johan Ackermann will take heart from the fight and defensive resolve shown late in both matches.
“In Pau, the Bulls defended 18 phases before forcing the turnover penalty and the win, and at the Hive on Friday night, they were as desperate to protect their tryline and not concede a penalty, which would have potentially cost them the match.”
ACKERS: Bulls’ belief never wavered
The Lions, meanwhile, “remain an enigma”.
They returned home with successive draws, the 20-20 stalemate against Perpignan ending their Challenge Cup campaign before a 24-24 draw in the URC against the Ospreys in Wales on Friday night.
Despite the frustration, the Lions collected three URC log points and remain seventh, while the Bulls rose from 11th to ninth.
Photo: Mark Scates/SNS Group via Getty Images
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