VIDEO: 'Learning curve' continues for the Bulls
The Bulls have dismissed Munster (29-24) and Scarlets (57-12) at Loftus Versfeld in the past fortnight – sitting pretty in the top eight.
However, not for one minute do they believe they suddenly have the magic formula to success in the United Rugby Championship.
Bulls forwards coach Russell Winter said, after a ‘settling in’ period, South African teams now have a better understanding of the Trans-Hemisphere competition.
He said now that the South African teams had a “taste” of playing both abroad and at home, they are beginning to understand a bit better what is required of teams in the URC.
“We are beginning to understand how the European teams like to play,” he told @rugby365com, adding: “For us this is going to be a learning phase – throughout the season.”
He said the absence of a pre-season – with the South African teams having come out of a domestic competition straight into the URC – contributed to the struggles of the local franchise in the early stages, on their European tours in October and November last year.
The Bulls met Leinster in their first match -going down 3-31 in Dublin, after having come out of a Currie Cup season.
“While we are still in this learning phase, it does not take away from the fact that all four [South African] franchises want to win and do well.
“We have worked out how we want to play within this competition, but we have to continue building on that.”
He admitted that the style that was successful in the Currie Cup, was not always going to suit teams in the URC.
“We are in that phase of the competition where we know what to expect.
“The European teams will also get their international players back, making them far better and tougher opposition,” Winter said, adding that they are putting in place ‘plans’ they hope will get them into the play-offs and a place in the European Cup next season.
Russell also touched on the fact that no URC team has won on South African soil yet, with their round of touring having been called off back in November because of a new outbreak of COVID.
The last fortnight was the first time European teams played URC games in South Africa and wins have so far eluded them.
This week it is the Dragons that arrive in Pretoria, hoping to breach fort Loftus’ defences.
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The Welsh outfits have all struggled on South African soil – with Scarlets going down (20-37) to the Sharks, Cardiff losing by the same margin to the Lions, the Bulls thumping Scarlets 57-12 and the Stormers demolishing Cardiff 40-3.
The margin of some of these losses on the Welsh regions’ first trip to the Republic has somewhat taken the Bulls forward coach, Winter, by surprise.
However, the Bulls have the utmost respect for the tourists and won’t underestimate them.
“Playing at altitude, in the heat, is always going to be a struggle for teams coming up here,” he said of sides visiting the Highveld.
“We wanted to take advantage of that.
“However, with the Six Nations concluded those international will return to their franchises and it will be a far more difficult task to beat those teams.”
Russel made it clear the Bulls will not underestimate the Dragons, who have put up some good performances.
Against Ulster (a 0-12 defeat) and Leinster (a 6-7 loss) they looked capable of causing a few upsets.
However, there was also a 3-64 loss to Munster on March 5.
“They can be very unpredictable, and we don’t want to be complaisant at all,” the Bulls’ forwards mentor said.
“We are preparing as normal, trying to make sure that we are ready.
“We don’t want to slip up against them.
“The Welsh are passionate rugby players and supporters.
“They will come here wanting to play very well. We are going to have to make sure that we don’t become complaisant in any way or form.”
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