If there is one statistic that highlights the Vodacom Bulls’ struggles in Europe, it is glaringly evident by simply glancing at the Investec Champions Cup stats page on their official website. A deeper look at the numbers reveals an astonishing contrast between their attacking efforts and their outcomes in the competition.
Despite being eliminated from the Champions Cup before the playoff stages, the Bulls top one particularly intriguing statistic: defenders beaten. According to the official statistics, the Bulls have managed to beat a remarkable 94 defenders over the course of their three games. However, this impressive attacking stat is juxtaposed with a far less favorable reality—they have yet to register a single log point in the competition.
In a tournament featuring powerhouse teams like Bordeaux-Bègles, who recently defeated Exeter 69-17 away from home and racked up 23 tries across three games, as well as European rugby giants Toulouse, Leinster, and La Rochelle, the Bulls’ attacking success in the midst of consistent defeats is perplexing. Their inability to capitalise on opportunities has left both fans and pundits baffled.
Head coach Jake White was understandably dismayed after the Bulls’ loss to Northampton Saints at Loftus Versfeld. In a match where his team dominated nearly every phase of play, they had three tries disallowed and ultimately suffered a defeat by more than seven points—on home turf. Loftus was meant to be the Bulls’ fortress, yet they faltered. In their away games against Saracens and Castres, the Bulls managed to stay competitive until halftime but faded significantly in the second half, allowing their opponents to rack up commanding scores.
The Bulls’ attack presents many questions, especially when contrasted with other facets of their game. While their lineout has been inconsistent, their scrums have been a dominant force, setting the tone for much of their European campaign. Yet, topping the statistic for defenders beaten while failing to secure a single victory is a dubious achievement that highlights significant shortcomings in their ability to finish opportunities.
What makes this inefficiency even more glaring is that the Bulls have only managed to score five tries across their three games. The disconnect between beating 94 defenders and producing so few tries underscores a major issue with their finishing. In their match against Saracens, challenging weather conditions posed difficulties for both teams.
However, the Bulls’ approach to managing the blustery winds of Tropical Storm Darragh contributed to their downfall. On a night when a strategic kicking game might have pinned Saracens back, the Bulls attempted to run the ball instead. They made just 13 kicks compared to Saracens’ 22, opting for an attacking approach that saw them make 133 carries for an impressive 337 post-contact meters. While such numbers would typically translate into points, the Bulls could only cross the try line once in the entire game.
At Loftus against Northampton, the Bulls were dominant in nearly every statistical category. They controlled almost 70% of possession and territory while again kicking significantly less than their opponents (10 kicks to 19). Their 131 carries resulted in an impressive 307 post-contact meters. Despite these encouraging figures, their accuracy in execution was sorely lacking, with only Cameron Hanekom’s individual brilliance providing a glimpse of what might have been.
Their game against Castres presented a different challenge. Fielding a team composed largely of fringe players, the Bulls faced one of the most intimidating home environments in the French Top 14. The team managed 102 ball carries for 213 post-contact meters, with captain Nizaam Carr making 20 of those carries himself. However, when it came to line breaks, Castres outperformed them significantly, recording 11 to the Bulls’ 2. After staying within six points of Castres at the 60-minute mark, the Bulls collapsed in the final quarter, conceding 33 points to end with a heavy defeat.
This loss effectively ended their Champions Cup campaign, compounding the woes of a season now marked by four consecutive losses. In the Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC), the Bulls’ struggles in attack are equally apparent. Despite sitting in fourth place on the overall log, their attack ranks a dismal 15th out of the 16 teams, with only the bottom-placed Dragons performing worse in this regard.
It is clear that there is significant work to be done at Loftus Versfeld. Addressing the gap between the Bulls’ ability to create opportunities and their inability to convert those chances into points must be a top priority for the coaching staff. Identifying solutions to improve their conversion rate is essential if the team hopes to salvage their season.
While the Champions Cup may now be out of reach, the Bulls have an opportunity to reset as they prepare to face Stade Français this Saturday. However, unless they address their inefficiencies and find a way to turn attacking dominance into points on the scoreboard, the second half of the year could prove to be an arduous journey. The Bulls’ ability to bounce back and rectify these issues will not only determine the outcome of their remaining season but also shape their standing in European rugby moving forward.
