Bulls balance Challenge Cup and URC dreams: Jake White’s juggling act for Edinburgh

The Bulls had looked almost down and out just a month ago – but now they’re well set to push hard for two trophies this season.

Losing 19-16 to the Stormers at Loftus Versfeld on March 1 led to some introspection in Pretoria, from the coaches to the players, and the result has been three wins in a row since.

Yes, they needed a late David Kriel penalty to see off a weakened Leinster side in the capital city, but then made mincemeat out of Zebre last week.

The Bulls had to travel all the way to south-west France to face Bayonne in a Challenge Cup last-16 clash, with a lot on the line. Lose with a ‘B team’, and then you get accused of not taking the competition seriously.

But win, and suddenly your gruelling tour fixture list extends by a week – and it could go on for seven more days following two massive away United Rugby Championship games against Munster and Glasgow.

Coach Jake White was in a bit of a no-win situation in almost every respect, but was rightfully delighted by the manner in which a “mix and match” Bulls side beat Bayonne 32-22 at the weekend to qualify for this Saturday’s Challenge Cup quarter-final against Edinburgh in Scotland (1.30pm SA time kickoff).

“Some of the staff were saying that I was very tense in the last 20 minutes of the game,” White said about the Bayonne encounter.

“The reason is that I know how things can turn out in these games. You literally saw with the last play of the game, we got a turnover and then a penalty – that could quite easily have been a line-break and try.

“It’s very, very difficult to win in France. Yes, they made a lot of changes, and obviously didn’t put on the best players that we thought would play.

“But in saying that, they are unbeaten at home. That’s the first game they’ve lost this year, because the crowd, the atmosphere, the whole build-up...

“That’s why I would’ve grabbed this result. And I would’ve grabbed it because we played like we did, it doesn’t look like we’ve got any injuries, and we can now build on that momentum into the next couple of rounds.”

The Bulls are third on the URC log with 50 points, just four behind Glasgow, with leaders Leinster 12 points further adrift.

So, the April 25 clash against the Warriors will be crucial in the race for second spot, but before that will be Munster on April 19 in Limerick and Edinburgh in the Challenge Cup quarter-finals this weekend at the Hive Stadium.

It is a tricky juggling act with regard to selection, but at least White has quality options.

It would make sense to start those who have been returning from injury recently or haven’t had much game-time against Edinburgh.

Regular captain Ruan Nortjé should reclaim his No 5 jersey after playing the entire second half against Bayonne, as well as 28 minutes against Zebre.

The same could apply to the likes of star No 8 Cameron Hanekom, centre Stedman Gans and prop Mornay Smith, while others such as Reinhardt Ludwig, Simphiwe Matanzima, Marco van Staden, Jannes Kirsten and Stravino Jacobs have the capacity to continue.

But others deserve a breather. Centres Kriel and Harold Vorster have been workhorses over the last few weeks, and so too have lock JF van Heerden – who was excellent against Bayonne – and fullback Devon Williams.

Flyhalf Keagan Johannes earned his third consecutive start following a Player-of-the-Match performance against Zebre.

He may have made a few errors – such as missing touch from a penalty, and being bumped off by the giant Bayonne centre Federico Mori for a try – but Johannes still showed some classy touches, notably in the build-up to the opening try by Sergeal Petersen.

Johannes also successfully converted some tough goal-kicks, although he would want to forget pushing the conversion wide from Petersen’s touchdown.

The 25-year-old pivot should perhaps back himself a bit more to control the Bulls attack with regards to decision-making, as there was a bit too much responsibility on the shoulders of scrumhalf Zak Burger, who was outstanding against Bayonne.

“We only brought 30 players this week, because we didn’t know how long we’d be here,” White said.

“I am sure that we will bring in some extra players anyway, and as it stands now, a couple of guys will join us this week (which could include Canan Moodie, Cobus Wiese and Johan Grobbelaar).

“I also have to look at what combination will work for Edinburgh. And I’m not only talking about injuries here, but guys back home coming back from injury – will they be ready? Should they come on tour?

“The only way it can become longer is if we win next week. Then decisions need to be made in terms of how we can add to our group and who we need to rotate.”

Points-Scorers

Bayonne 22 – Tries: Federico Mori, Remi Bourdeau, Tom Spring. Conversions: Cheikh Tiberghien (2). Penalty: Baptiste Germain (1).

Bulls 32 – Tries: Sergeal Petersen, Reinhardt Ludwig, David Kriel, Marco van Staden. Conversions: Keagan Johannes (2), Johan Goosen (1). Penalties: Johannes (1), Goosen (1).