The Pretoria-based team have featured in the playoffs in each of the last four seasons of the URC.
It’s now time for the Bulls to win the United Rugby Championship.
While the Stormers won the title in the inaugural season in 2021/22, and should have gone back-to-back in 2022/23, and the Sharks won last season’s Challenge Cup, the reality is the Bulls have been South Africa’s best and most consistent performers in the URC.
And while they face a tough knockout phase this season, starting with a quarter-final against Edinburgh, and a potential final away to Irish giants Leinster if they get that far, Jake White and his charges have a wonderful opportunity to finally go all the way.
Playoffs in each of last four seasons
The Bulls’ consistency in the URC is remarkable.
In 2021/22 they finished fourth with 11 wins from 18 matches and 58 points. The following season they finished sixth with 10 wins from 18 and 53 points.
Last season (2023/24) they finished second with 13 wins from 18 and 66 points and this season they have again finished second, but with 14 wins from 18 and 68 points.
If things go their way they will play at home in the quarters and semi-finals, and if they get lucky, also in the final, provided they progress that far and someone knocks Leinster out.
Last season’s final loss to the Glasgow Warriors (16-21) hurt badly. Playing at home at Loftus Versfeld the Bulls had everything they needed to win the title, but they didn’t deliver on the field when it mattered.
A year on and they look stronger, with greater depth, and will again believe they have what it takes to go all the way.
Coach Jake White and company CEO Edgar Rathbone, and all their staff, have done wonders for the team and union and the Bulls are again right up there, among the best provincial/club sides in the game.
Of course, the Sharks and Stormers will also have aspirations of winning the title this season, and they, too, have a good chance, but if any team deserve to win the URC title it is the Bulls. It would also be very nice to see White lifting the trophy after the heartache of previous seasons’ disappointments.
