Bulls 'regret' their lack of discipline

Bulls coach Pine Pienaar and captain Dewald Potgieter bemoaned the team's poor performance and lack of discipline in their Currie Cup semifinal loss to the Sharks at the weekend.

The Sharks won 20-3, to earn the right to host Western Province in the Final next week.

For the Bulls, who won the last of their 27 Currie Cup titles in 2009, it is now a time of introspection.

Pienaar was predictably unhappy by the manner in which his side bowed out, but played down suggestions that they lacked ambition.

"What they [the Sharks] have done better [in the semifinal] is kicking more accurately than us," Pienaar said.

"Their contestables were more spot on than what we offered and basically the pressure they put on us turned into penalties.

"So I wouldn't say they were more ambitious than us, they were just more accurate."

Potgieter was equally forthright, saying: "Ill-discipline really cost us, especially in the first half.

"We couldn't get our hands on the ball, we couldn't get ourselves in the game.

"In a semifinal, if your discipline is poor, then you are going to struggle."

He pointed to a penalty, when the Bulls were looking to get back in the game halfway through the second half, as the turning point and a good example of how their lack of discipline cost them.

Pienaar admitted that his side were not good enough on the day, and that the Sharks adapted better to the wet conditions.

"I'm pretty disappointed with our showing in this match," Pienaar said.

"They handled better in their own half in those terrible conditions.

"I think both sides came out all guns blazing defensively, the gainline battle was immense.

"Well done to them, they finished top of the log and they deserve to host that home final."