Director of rugby at the Bulls, Jake White. Picture: Tyler Miller/Gallo Images
The Bulls’ strong start to the United Rugby Championship season, which has them at the top of the table, has not been by fluke but has come thanks to meticulous planning from the director of rugby, Jake White.
When the move to the Northern Hemisphere was a reality for the SA franchises, White warned it would be a difficult transition due to travelling, conditions, artificial pitches and squad depth to compete in two competitions, the URC and Champions Cup.
The former Springbok coach then devised a plan for the URC to be the competition that helps the team settle in Europe. In the first season, the Bulls finished as runners-up; in the sophomore campaign, they went out in the last eight.
The experience gained from the past URC seasons helped White prepare better for this season. The Bulls recruited heavily in the off-season to bolster their ranks and roped in new coaching staff to help the team. This was followed by a hard preseason that helped sharpen the team and build camaraderie among the group.
This has been reflected in the Bulls’ performances in the URC so far. In their three wins this term, the team have shown precision on the offence and grit when they have been under the pump in matches. There’s a good mix of youth and experience in the team, and that’s what makes them exciting.
White’s charges seem to have figured out how to play on 4G pitches in Europe. In the previous seasons, the 4G grounds had troubled the Bulls and caused injuries, now they look comfortable.
The Bulls have changed their surface at Loftus Versfeld, which is majority grass with elements of a hybrid pitch, keeping with their move to Europe.
The Bulls are looking at grabbing this season by the horns, they have set the foundation for a great season in the URC. They will probably get better when their four Rugby World Cup-winning Springboks are added into the mix.
White has found the recipe for success in the URC, and perhaps the Bulls faithful can start dreaming of a maiden title.
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