Player ratings - Bulls

OPINION: The Glasgow Warriors were crowned the new United Rugby Championship title holders, by beating the Bulls at their own game – winning 21-16 at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

Having trailed 0-13 after 40 minutes, the Warriors started an amazing comeback – scoring a try well into injury time of the first half and then dominating the second half.

For the Bulls, it is the second Final in three years where they fell short – choking in the same heart-breaking fashion as against the Stormers in 2022.

Jan de Koning rates the Bulls players!

15 Devon Williams
He initially slotted in nicely at fullback and produced a great break late in the first half. There were also some handy left-footed clearances. However, his influence was limited.
5/10

14 Sergeal Petersen
Great arching run and grubber early to drive Glasgow deep into their 22-metre area. He was good under the high ball for most part and produced a brave tackle on Matt Fagerson.
6/10

13 David Kriel
It was a very quiet game by his usual standards and missed too many tackles.
4/10

12 Harold Vorster
Produced a great grubber and showed he is not just a crash-ball dummy. He marked Sione Tuipulotu well, but also missed too many tackles.
5/10

11 Kurt-Lee Arendse
Great early tackle on George Horne, but lost his composure and conceded several unnecessary penalties.
4/10

10 Johan Goosen
He was great under the highball in the first half, when he often helped out Devon Williams. However, he unravelled in the second half and kicked a crucial penalty dead, resulting in a scrum inside his half. Failed to keep his composure and his tactical game was not up to standard.
5/10

9 Embrose Papier
Had a steady first half, but still has the occasional lapse – missed three tackles and conceded four turnovers.
4/10

(Continue below …)

8 Cameron Hanekom
His energy and workrate were unmatched, with plenty of carries for little reward – with seven missed tackles spoiling an otherwise impressive performance.
6/10

7 Elrigh Louw
He also got through a mountain of work, with plenty of carries (45 metres from 18 carries) and an impressive tackle count of 14.
7/10

6 Marco van Staden
Powerful charge for the first try and plenty of strong carries. However, did not always get enough support and the Bulls’ one-up tactics did not help him. A satisfactory day at the office.
6/10

5 Ruan Nortje (captain)
Truly a captain’s innings – making a team-high 16 tackles. There was also a crucial line-out steal in the second half.
7/10

4 Ruan Vermaak
Not his best game of the season – making 10 tackles, but missing three. Got very little value out of his seven carries.
5/10

3 Wilco Louw
Powerful in set pieces and strong when carrying the ball. Made 12 tackles and missed just two./
6/10

2 Johan Grobbelaar
Incredible cover tackle just metres from his line, then won a crucial penalty near his line late in the first half and another on his line early in the second. Made 14 tackles and missed just one.
8/10

1 Gerhard Steenekamp
Powerful in the scrums and initially had the better of much-vaunted Scottish prop Zander Fagerson. Made 15 tackles – second most in the team – and missed just one.
7/10

Replacements:

16 Akker van der Merwe (on for Grobbelaar, 50th min)
Not the impact the Bulls would have hoped for, as his five carries produced very few metres over the advantage line. Made just three tackles.
5/10

17 Simphiwe Matanzima (on for Louw, 73rd min)
Not enough time to be rated.

18 Francois Klopper (on for Steenekamp, 73rd min)
Not enough time to be rated.

19 Reinhardt Ludwig (on for Vermaak, 68th min)
Not enough time to be rated.

20 Nizaam Carr (on for Hanekom, 47th min)
Tried to inject some energy into a tiring Bulls pack, the Glasgow defence kept him in check. Made all his tackles.
6/10

21 Izak Burger
Not used.

22 Chris Smith
Not used.

23 Cornel Smit
Not used.

@king365ed
@rugby365com