Potgieter suited to Bulls' game

Following two weeks of near misses in inclement weather, Bulls flyhalf Jacques-Louis Potgieter's performance made all the difference in their 25-17 victory over the Lions at Loftus Versfeld at the weekend.

Bulls coach Frans Ludeke heaped praise on the 29-year-old pivot, who contributed 20 of his side's points with a drop-goal, five penalties and a conversion.

"Jacques-Louis made a big difference," Ludeke said of his team's win.

"He converted the pressure and penalties, we worked so hard for, into points," the coach added.

"He was accurate and clinical, hats off to him we really needed someone in that position to take control of the game, get us in good positions and converting the pressure."

Bulls captain Flip van der Merwe observed that the inclement weather seemed to have been following their team, but it was the hosts that adapted better to the constant downpour.

It was nevertheless a typical Bulls performance where their constant pressure on the opposition translated into penalties.

The pack of forwards set the foundation for Potgieter to go for the points when they were on offer while this gave the Bulls a comfortable cushion over the Lions.

"We started controlling the game again like the Bulls of old, we put ourselves in certain positions to score points and we converted," Van der Merwe said.

"He handled the game well, our set-pieces worked well and we scored points at the right times to maintain the pressure."

SAPA