Are the Bulls rivalling Leinster for the 'chokers' tag?
STAT ATTACK: With the United Rugby Championship quarterfinals upon us, @rugby365com delved into the archives of the three qualifying South African franchises.
First up is the Bulls, a team with a rich history both domestically and at an international franchise level.
The Pretoria-based outfit is one of the title favourites for the 2024-25 URC campaign and will be desperate to finally get over the final hurdle after coming up short twice.
@rugby365com looks back at the Bulls’ play-off history, and how they fared since 1996 in Super Rugby to present in the URC.
Quarterfinals
The Bulls played two Super Rugby quarterfinals and lost both to the Crusaders and Brumbies respectively.
*Note Super Rugby quarterfinals/qualifiers were only introduced in 2012 when the conference system was implemented. Previously the top four qualified for the semifinals.
However, they did better in the URC with two wins from three attempts for a total winning percentage of 40 percent.
Semifinals
The Bulls played seven Super Rugby semifinals having won three and lost four.
They are, however, two from two in the URC, knocking out Leinster in 2022 (away) and 2024 (home). In total, their winning percentage in semifinals amounts to a decent 55 percent.
Finals
A powerhouse during the mid to late 2000s, the Bulls won three Super Rugby titles from as many attempts in 2007, 2009 and 2010.
They also clinched the Super Rugby Unlocked title in 2020 which was an outright win by topping the table.
That title was a precursor to the Pro 14 Rainbow Cup Final before the competition was rebranded to the URC when the South African franchises joined the expanded competition.
The Bulls lost that Final to Benetton in Treviso.
Their URC Finals record, however, reads zero from two attempts as they went down to the Stormers in the inaugural Final and last season to current champions Glasgow Warriors.
In total, their Finals record amounts to three wins from six attempts for a modest 50 percent return.
Bulls championship record
Super Rugby: Three titles
Super Rugby unlocked: One title
Currie Cup: 25 titles (second most)
