'Patience' is the name of the game
The Bulls will have to be very patient if they are to break down the Southern Kings in their all-South African Super Rugby derby on Saturday.
Bulls coach Frans Ludeke, who became the father of triplets on Wednesday, admitted the men from Port Elizabeth are not the pushover many pundits had expected them to be this season.
And the Bulls have taken note of the quality of their performances on tour – which included a win over the Rebels last Saturday and a draw with the table-topping Brumbies the week before.
"You must give credit to the Kings for their efforts," Ludeke told this website in an interview before the Bulls' trip to PE.
"To win that last game [against the Rebels in Melbourne], which is a major boost for them, and added to that is the draw against the Brumbies [the week before] is testimony to their quality.
"They are playing good rugby and their defence is very solid at the moment.
"They also have a very solid set of forwards and their tactical game is also very good, they do get into the right areas."
While the Bulls are "looking forward" to their first-ever Super Rugby encounter with the Kings, they know it will take a special effort against a team that has shown plenty of heart and desire this season.
"We are certainly backing ourselves in what is a very important game for us," Ludeke told this website.
The Bulls mentor said his team has been working on improving their finishing.
"In the first half [against the Cheetahs last week] we created several opportunities and got into the right areas," the Bulls mentor said.
"We just need to be a bit more patient and convert those opportunities."
He said that he is happy with their set pieces and other basics.
"Our scrum was a little under pressure against the Brumbies [a fortnight ago], but we have made significant progress from that game," Ludeke added.
By Jan de Koning
