'Clinical' Bulls do the job

It was by no means flawless, but the Bulls got the job done and moved into a position of power as the Super Rugby competition enters the home stretch.

Despite suffering a potentially disastrous series of injuries to key players, Bulls coach Frans Ludeke said he was delighted with the players who stepped into their roles.

The Bulls mentor was speaking in the wake of his team's 48-18 thrashing of the Southern Kings at Loftus Versfeld at the weekend.

Not only did the Bulls secure their four-try bonus point inside 34 minutes, they went on to out-score the Kings six tries to two – courtesy of standout performances by Jacques Potgieter and Francois Hougaard.

"I thought we were clinical in the first half," Ludeke said after the match, which took the Pretoria outfit to second in the overall standings.

"I thought there were a few guys who really stepped up to the plate and added a lot, and also the rhythm was good," he said.

Ludeke believed his outfit did not always have their way, and said he was happy to have performed well against a dangerous and unpredictable Kings side.

"I thought, all-in-all, we're satisfied with the result," he said.

"I thought we got exactly what we wanted out of the game. It was a tough contest: a typical South African derby, and we were tested.

"They also asked some questions, so we'll make a few adjustments for the next game, but we scored some lovely tries."

With captain Pierre Spies ruled out for the rest of the year due to bicep surgery, Jacques Potgieter was named in the starting line-up, much to the delight of new captain Dewald Potgieter.

"I think everybody who came into the side actually had a very good game," Dewald Potgieter said.

"A guy like Jacques, who hasn't played a lot this season came in, had an outstanding performance and you can't ask for anything more."

Potgieter said the remainder of the regular season of Super Rugby would be a difficult assignment, but he was pleased to have won convincingly, following a three week layoff due to the international rugby break early this month.

"We did the job. The process wasn't without fault and we definitely have things to work on," Potgieter said.

"One or two things might be of concern, but we have enough time to work on those.

"Just a good performance tonight, which bodes well for the next game, but at the end of the day it's going to be tougher next week and we know that."

SAPA