Bulls on a Super run

rugby365.com editor Jan de Koning stumbled across some interesting statistics as he researched the most successful Super Rugby runs and found that the Bulls have overtaken the Sharks in at least one department.

The Bulls, currently top of the Super 14 standings, are on one of the hottest Super runs in the competition’s history.
 
Unbeaten this year, combined with their four wins at the end of the 2008 season, gives the Bulls a nine-match winning streak.
 
That has only been bettered by two other teams – the seven-time champion Crusaders and the three-time champion Blues.
 
The Crusaders, the undoubted Super champions, may be struggling to cope without Dan Carter and Robbie Deans this year.
 
But they hold several records that emphasise just how dominant they have been over the years.
 
The Crusaders have the longest winning streak: 16 matches – from Round Eight, 2005 to Round 10, 2006. They also have the longest unbeaten streak: 17 matches – from Round Eight, 2005 to Round 11, 2006.
 
And then there is their longest home winning streak: 26 matches – from Round Six, 2004 to Round 12, 2007.
 
The Blues are next best with an unbeaten run of 15 matches – the last two in 1996 and 13 in 2007 (which include a draw in the first Round of 2007). The Blues’ best run in one season is 12 wins in 1997 and seven wins in 2003 (they won 12 of their 13 games that year, with a loss in Round Seven).
 
Now back to the Bulls.
 
Their nine-match winning streak puts them in joint third place (with the Brumbies) – and ahead of South Africa’s other teams.
 
The Bulls’ best run in one season is the six matches at the end of the 2007 season – when they beat the Sharks in the first ever all-South African Super Final.

The Brumbies had their nine-match winning streak when they won the last four games in 2001 and first five in 2002. They also have an eight-match streak; last four in 2004 and first four in 2005.
 
After the Bulls, the Sharks are next best of the South African teams.
 
They boast an eight-match winning streak – the last two in 2006 and first six in 2007. Like the Bulls, their best in one season is six matches 2008 and 2007 (both years they won their first six matches).
 
The Stormers are next in line with their seven-match unbeaten run last year – which include a draw in Week 13.
 
Are you Bullish about this year’s Super 14 or do you have taste for Shark meat? Let us know your preference.