Bulls (rugby union)

Bulls
Union	South African Rugby Union
Founded	1938 (Northern Transvaal Rugby Union) ; 1997 (Bulls franchise)
Location	Pretoria, South Africa
Region	Gauteng
Ground(s)	Loftus Versfeld Stadium (Capacity: 51,762)
Director of Rugby	Jake White
Coach(es)	Jake White
Captain(s)	Marcell Coetzee ; Ruan Nortjé
Most caps	Morné Steyn (144)
Top scorer	Morné Steyn (1639)
Most tries	Bryan Habana (37)
League(s)	United Rugby Championship
2022–23	Quarter Finals ; South African Shield: 2nd ; (6th overall)
1st kit	2nd kit
Official website
	bullsrugby.co.za

Last updated April 18, 2024

The Bulls, for sponsorship reasons known as the Vodacom Bulls, is a South African professional rugby union team based in Pretoria and they play their home matches at Loftus Versfeld. They compete in the United Rugby Championship, having competed in the Super Rugby competition until 2020. Prior to 1998, the Bulls competed in the then-Super 12 as Northern Transvaal, as in those years South Africa was represented in the competition by its top four Currie Cup sides from the previous season, instead of the modern Super Rugby teams.

The side won the Super 14 in 2007, 2009 and 2010, placing them among the most successful teams in Super Rugby history with three titles. They were the most successful team of the Super 14 era (2006–10), winning three out of the five titles. They are the most successful South African team, and the only South African team to win a Super Rugby title.

History

Early history

Prior to the professional Super Rugby competition, Northern Transvaal competed in the Super 10, which was a tournament featuring ten teams from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Tonga and Western Samoa, which ran from 1993 to 1995. The top three teams from the previous Currie Cup season qualified for each of the Super 10 tournaments.

Northern Transvaal competed in the 1993 season, where they were grouped in Pool B alongside Transvaal, New South Wales, North Harbour and Waikato. Transvaal finished at the top of the pool, with Northern Transvaal finishing third, behind New South Wales. Northern Transvaal did not qualify for the Super 10 (Southern Hemisphere competition)#1994 Super 10 or 1995 seasons.

Early Professional Era (1996–2005)

After rugby union went professional, the Super 10 tournament was restructured. The Super 12 was created, and was to be competed by teams from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Both Australia and New Zealand adopted new franchise models for their teams, whereas South Africa chose to use the Currie Cup to decide what teams were to be promoted in the Super 12 each season.

Competing in the inaugural Super 12 season of 1996, Northern Transvaal were one of the 12 teams. The side won eight of their 11 games and finished third on the table – behind only Auckland and Queensland. Jannie Kruger finished the season in the top three leading point-scorers, behind only Matt Burke and John Eales. The side was however soundly defeated in a semi-final by the Auckland Blues, with the final score being 48 points to 11. The game was played at Eden Park in Auckland.

After their fairly successful performance in the opening competition, the subsequent competition of 1997 saw them with three wins and three draws from 11 games. They finished at eighth. Following the 1997 season, South Africa adopted a similar franchise system to that of Australia and New Zealand's, abolishing the Currie Cup promotion system in favour of creating new franchises. The Bulls were formed as one of the four new teams. They did not make the semis in the 1998 season. The Bulls were considered one of the worst teams in the Super 12 competition, finishing last or second to last for five consecutive seasons from 1998 to 2003. In 2002, they became the first team ever to go through an entire Super Rugby season without winning a single game. This record remained until the Lions repeated the feat during the 2010 season. After finishing fourth in the inaugural competition, they did not make the semis again until the years 2003.

The Bulls finished in 6th place in both 2003 and 2004, though still missing out on a finals position. They equalled there 1996 performance in 2005, although there was a very poor start to the season, it was followed by six straight wins to earn them a semi-final berth, where they were defeated by the New South Wales Waratahs. Bryan Habana finished in the top three try-scorers by the end of the season, and was short-listed for IRB player of the year.

Super 14 Era (2006–10)

In 2006, the Super 12 became the Super 14, with the addition of two new franchises, the Cheetahs and the Western Force. By the last round of the 2006 season, the Bulls, along with the Brumbies and Sharks were all in contention to take the fourth and final position on the ladder to make the semi-finals. After the Brumbies were defeated 33 to 3 by the Crusaders, the Bulls or Sharks could mathematically take the fourth spot. The Bulls defeated the Stormers at Newlands in Cape Town 43 points to 10, which ensured they went through to the semi-finals. The Bulls travelled to Christchurch where they were defeated 35 to 15 at Jade Stadium and knocked out of the finals.

The Bulls lost their first game of the 2007 Super 14 season, going down to the Sharks in Durban 17 points to 3. Entering week 14, the last round of the regular season, the Bulls were chasing an unlikely 72-point win over the Queensland Reds in order to move into second place and get a home semi-final.^[1] At Loftus, the Bulls defeated the Reds 92 points to 3, with the 89-point margin of victory setting a new Super rugby record.^[1] The Bulls ran in 13 tries with four players getting doubles and Derick Hougaard kicking 11 conversions. The Sharks finished first, so it became the first time that both home venues in the semi-finals was in South Africa.

The Bulls defeated the Crusaders in their semi-final by 27 points to 12, with Derick Hougaard kicking eight penalties and a drop-goal. The Sharks ensured a home-final in the 2007 Super 14-competition by defeating the Blues with a scoreline of 34–18.

When the Bulls met the Sharks in the Super 14 final at the Absa Stadium in Durban the match turned out to be a tight, nervous affair with the Bulls initially being guilty of indiscipline and making a lot of mistakes. The Sharks carried a 14–10 advantage into half-time after a JP Pietersen try cancelled out one from Pierre Spies. The second half of the match was just as nail-biting, with the Bulls gaining the ascendancy in the match, but failing to turn their rising amount of possession into points. A Derick Hougaard penalty closed the gap to 14–13, after which the Bulls made several onslaughts on the Sharks line, only to lose the ball at critical stages. Their match looked to be all but over for the Bulls when Albert van den Berg barged over the line for a Sharks try two minutes from full-time to stretch their lead to six points. However, François Steyn failed with the conversion attempt, and the Bulls restarted with barely seconds on the clock. After regaining the ball from the kick-off, play went through several phases before Bryan Habana received the ball on the right wing. He cut infield and scored the most dramatic of match winning tries, more than a minute after official play. The try was converted by Derick Hougaard and the Bulls won the match 20–19. In 2009 the Bulls again won the Super 14, defeating the Chiefs 61 – 17 in the final in Pretoria.

In 2010 the Bulls again finished top of the log by beating the Crusaders in a home semi final to secure a home final. Because the FIFA World Cup was being hosted by South Africa that year and Loftus was included as a venue, they had to play the semi and final in Soweto, a first in Super Rugby history. The Stormers had beaten the Waratahs at home and would face off with the Bulls in the Final. The Bulls won the final once again in dramatic style when Francois Hougaard sidestepped the Stormers fullback Joe Petersen to score an impressive try.

Super Rugby Era (2011–2020)

The Bulls only managed the Super Rugby South African Conference trophy in 2013 and they were three time conference runner-up in 2012, 2014 and 2019. They also reached the Qualifiers twice and Semi-final once but lost all three play-off matches.

After the 2020 Super Rugby season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a replacement tournament was announced for each country. The South African tournament was called Super Rugby Unlocked and the Bulls were crowned the champions after ending top of the log.^[2]

The South African teams withdrew from the competition entirely, making the Bulls the only South African winners of any form of the Super Rugby trophy.^[3]

Pro14 and United Rugby Championship Era (2021–present)

The Pro14 Rainbow Cup was announced as an end-of-season cup competition to introduce the South African teams after their withdrawal from Super Rugby. After the regular season the top of the South African log Bulls faced European top Benetton in the final in Italy. The Bulls lost their first match in Europe as well as the Pro14 Rainbow Cup final 35-8.^[4]

The 2021–22 season was a tough start for the Bulls with two straight losses in Europe against Leinster 31-3 and Connacht 34-7. The Bulls got their first win in Europe on 9 October 2021 beating Cardiff Blues 29-19.^[5]

They went on to finish in 4th place on the overall standings after regular season, securing a home quarter-final.

Location

The team is centred around the Blue Bulls Rugby Union, whose catchment covers Pretoria as well as Limpopo, but also draws players from the Falcons Rugby Union, who represent the East Rand. Through 2005, the Bulls also drew players from the Pumas Rugby Union and Leopards Rugby Union, but in the realignment of franchise areas that came from the expansion of Super 12 to Super 14, these unions were moved into the Lions.

Stadium

The Bulls play all their home matches at the Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria, which is also the home of the Blue Bulls during the Currie Cup season. The stadium is also a regular host for Springboks Test matches, and was a venue during the 1995 Rugby World Cup which South Africa hosted. Loftus was a venue for Pool D matches including France v Tonga, Scotland v Tonga and France v Scotland. Loftus was also used twice during the finals stages – for the New Zealand v Scotland quarter-final and the England v France third place play-off.

The ground has been used for rugby since 1908, and in 1932 the stadium was renamed to Loftus Versfeld in honor of Robert Owen Loftus Versfeld, the founder of organized rugby in Pretoria.^[6]^[7] The stadium has undergone numerous renovations over the years, and is currently capable of holding 51,762 spectators.

Current squad

The Bulls squad for the 2023–24 United Rugby Championship is.^[8]

Bulls United Rugby Championship squad
Props Robert Hunt Francois Klopper Sebastian Lombard Wilco Louw Simphiwe Matanzima Khutha Mchunu Tielman Nieuwoudt Dylan Smith Mornay Smith Gerhard Steenekamp Jacques van Rooyen Hookers Johan Grobbelaar Tiaan Lange Akker van der Merwe Joe van Zyl Jan-Hendrik Wessels Locks Reinhardt Ludwig Ruan Nortjé (cc) Merwe Olivier Deon Slabbert Janko Swanepoel JF van Heerden Ruan Vermaak	Loose forwards Cyle Brink Nizaam Carr Marcell Coetzee (cc) Mpilo Gumede Cameron Hanekom Jannes Kirsten Elrigh Louw Phumzile Maqondwana Mihlali Mosi WJ Steenkamp Muller Uys Marco van Staden Scrum-halves Zak Burger Keagan Johannes Embrose Papier Bernard van der Linde Fly-halves Johan Goosen Chris Smith Jaco van der Walt	Centres Sebastian de Klerk Stedman Gans Cornal Hendricks Henry Immelman Marco Jansen van Vuren David Kriel Lionel Mapoe Chris Smit Cornel Smit Harold Vorster Outside backs Kurt-Lee Arendse Stravino Jacobs Willie le Roux Kabelo Mokoena Canan Moodie Sibongile Novuka Sergeal Petersen Devon Williams

(cx) Denotes team co-captains, Bold denotes internationally capped, ^ST denotes a short-term signing.

Coaches

1996: Dr John Williams
1997: Kitch Christie
1998–1999: Eugene van Wyk
2000: Heyneke Meyer
2001: Phil Pretorius
2002: Heyneke Meyer
2003: Rudi Joubert
2004–2007: Heyneke Meyer
2008–2015: Frans Ludeke
2016–2017: Nollis Marais
2018–2019: John Mitchell
2019–2020: Pote Human
2020–present: Jake White

Captains

1996–97: Ruben Kruger
1998: Adriaan Richter
1999: Schutte Bekker
2000: Ruben Kruger
2001: Joost van der Westhuizen
2002: Chris le Roux
2003: Joost van der Westhuizen
2004: Victor Matfield
2005: Anton Leonard
2006–07: Victor Matfield
2008: Fourie du Preez
2009–11: Victor Matfield
2012–13: Pierre Spies
2014: Flip van der Merwe & Victor Matfield
2015: Victor Matfield
2016: Adriaan Strauss
2017: Handré Pollard
2018: Burger Odendaal
2019: Lood de Jager
2020: Burger Odendaal and Trevor Nyakane
2020–21: Duane Vermeulen
2021–present: Marcell Coetzee

Statistics

Results by opponent in European competitions

The results for the Bulls vs different opponents in European competitions

URC, Rainbow Cup, European Rugby Champions Cup
Opposition	Span	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	Win%	Points for	Average PF	Points against	Best score	Worst score	40–49 points	50+ points
Lions	2021–2024	8	6	0	2	75.00%	221	27.63	148	34–10 (2021–22)	34–33 (2021)	0	0
Stormers	2021–2024	10	3	0	7	30.00%	234	23.40	251	40–22 (2023–24)	37–27 (2022–23)	1	0
Sharks	2021–2023	8	5	0	3	62.50%	249	31.13	201	44–10 (2023–24)	47–20 (2022–23)	3	0
Benetton	2021–2022	3	2	0	1	66.67%	98	32.67	86	46–29 (2021–22)	35–8 (2021) Final	2	0
Leinster	2021–2024	4	2	0	2	50.00%	106	26.50	111	62–7 (2022–23)	47–14 (2023–24)	0	1
Connacht	2021–2023	3	2	0	1	66.67%	88	29.33	75	53–27 (2023–24)	34–7 (2021–22)	0	1
Cardiff	2021–2023	3	3	0	0	100.00%	92	30.67	40	45–9 (2022–23)	19–29 (2021–22)	1	0
Edinburgh	2021–2023	3	1	0	2	33.33%	66	22.00	79	33–31 (2022–23)	31–23 (2023–24)	0	0
Zebre Parma	2022–2023	3	3	0	0	100.00%	177	59.00	48	78–12 (2022–23)	29–54 (2023–24)	1	2
Munster	2022–2022	2	1	0	1	50.00%	46	23.00	55	29–24 (2021–22)	31–17 (2021–22)	0	0
Scarlets	2022–2023	3	2	0	1	66.67%	148	49.33	70	63–21 (2023–24)	37–28 (2022–23)	0	2
Dragons	2022–2024	3	3	0	0	100.00%	115	38.33	44	55–20 (2021–22)	20–55 (2021–22)	0	1
Ulster	2022–2023	3	1	0	2	33.33%	76	25.33	74	34–16 (2021–22)	32–23 (2022–23)	0	0
Glasgow Warriors	2022–2022	2	1	0	1	50.00%	50	25.00	52	29–17 (2021–22)	35–21 (2021–22)	0	0
Ospreys	2022–2022	2	2	0	0	100.00%	81	40.50	57	43–26 (2022–23)	31–38 (2021–22)	1	0
Lyon	2022–2024	4	2	0	2	50.00%	136	34.00	115	59–19 (2023–24)	36–42 (2022–23)	1	1
Exeter Chiefs	2022–2023	2	1	0	1	50.00%	53	26.50	72	39–28 (2022–23)	44–14 (2022–23)	0	0
Toulouse	2023–2023	1	0	0	1	0.00%	9	9.00	33	9–33 (2022–23)	33–9 (2022–23)	0	0
Saracens	2023–2023	1	1	0	0	100.00%	27	27.00	16	27–16 (2023–24)	16–27 (2023–24)	0	0
Bristol Bears	2024–2024	1	1	0	0	100.00%	31	31.00	17	31–17 (2023–24)	17–31 (2023–24)	0	0
Bordeaux	2024–2024	1	1	0	0	100.00%	46	46.00	40	46–40 (2023–24)	40–46 (2023–24)	1	0
Northampton Saints	2024–2024	1	0	0	1	0.00%	22	22.00	59	22–59 (2023–24)	59–22 (2023–24)	0	0
Overall	2021–2024	71	43	0	28	60.56	2171	30.58	1743	78–12 vs Zebre (2022–23)	59–22 vs Northampton Saints (2023–24)	11	8

All these stats include playoff matches (qualifiers, semi-finals and finals)
United Rugby Championship fixtures added 2021–22 – 2022–23
European Rugby Champions Cup fixtures added 2022–23 - 2023–24
2021 Pro14 Rainbow Cup included.
Correct as of 14 April 2024

Overall results by opponent in all competitions

The complete results for the Bulls vs different opponents in all competitions

Super Rugby, Super Rugby Unlocked, Preparation Series, Pro14 Rainbow Cup, United Rugby Championship, European Rugby Champions Cup, Toyota Challenge
Opposition	Span	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	Win%	Points for	Average PF	Points against	Best score	Worst score	40–49 points	50+ points
Sharks	1996–2023	43	26	3	14	60.47%	1019	23.70	945	44–10 (2023–24) URC	47–20 (2022–23) URC	6	0
Waratahs	1996–2019	22	12	0	10	54.55%	506	23.00	609	48–38 (2010) Super Rugby	53–7 (2001) Super Rugby	1	0
Highlanders	1996–2020	23	7	2	14	30.43%	568	24.70	644	59–29 (1996) Super Rugby	65–23 (1999) Super Rugby	2	2
Reds	1996–2020	23	10	0	13	43.48%	614	26.70	521	92–3 (2007) Super Rugby	48–12 (2002) Super Rugby	2	2
Crusaders	1996–2019	27	10	0	17	37.04%	626	23.19	909	40–35 (2010) Super Rugby	75–27 (2000) Super Rugby	1	0
Blues	1996–2020	23	7	2	14	30.43%	588	25.57	759	59–26 (2009) Super Rugby	65–24 (2002) Super Rugby	2	1
Chiefs	1996–2019	23	8	2	13	34.78%	636	27.65	745	61–17 (2009) Super Rugby Final	53–24 (2002) Super Rugby	1	1
Lions	1996–2024	38	24	1	13	63.16%	1088	28.63	966	62–52 (2004) Super Rugby	57–24 (1999) Super Rugby	2	2
Hurricanes	1996–2019	22	10	0	12	45.45%	567	25.77	602	48–14 (2013) Super Rugby	64–32 (1997) Super Rugby	4	0
Brumbies	1996–2019	23	8	0	15	34.78%	568	24.70	672	50–32 (2010) Super Rugby	73–9 (1999) Super Rugby	1	1
Stormers	1996–2024	46	18	1	27	39.13%	1070	23.26	1029	75–14 (2005) Super Rugby	42–19 (1999) Super Rugby	4	1
Cheetahs	1997–2022	22	16	0	6	72.73%	669	30.41	496	60–20 (2008) Super Rugby	42–29 (2015) Super Rugby	2	3
Force	2006–2016	10	6	0	4	60.00%	264	26.40	221	42–20 (2016) Super Rugby	30–27 (2007) Super Rugby	1	0
Rebels	2011–2019	7	6	0	1	85.71%	253	36.14	125	47–10 (2011) Super Rugby	35–41 (2012) Super Rugby	4	0
Southern Kings	2013–2017	4	3	0	1	75.00%	150	37.50	55	48–18 (2013) Super Rugby	31–30 (2017) Super Rugby	1	0
Sunwolves	2016–2018	5	3	0	2	60.00%	171	34.20	114	50–3 (2016) Super Rugby	42–37 (2018) Super Rugby	0	1
Jaguares	2016–2020	7	2	0	5	28.57%	160	22.86	218	43–34 (2018) Super Rugby	54–25 (2018) Super Rugby	1	0
Griquas	2020–2020	1	1	0	0	100.00%	30	30.00	23	30–23 (2020) Super Rugby Unlocked	23–30 (2020) Super Rugby Unlocked	0	0
Pumas	2020–2021	2	2	0	0	100.00%	69	34.50	36	48–31 (2020) Preparation Series	31–48 (2020) Preparation Series	1	0
Eastern Province Elephants	2021–2021	1	1	0	0	100.00%	87	87.00	10	87–10 (2021) Preparation Series	10–87 (2021) Preparation Series	0	1
Benetton	2021–2022	3	2	0	1	66.67%	98	32.67	86	46–29 (2021–22) URC	35–8 (2021) Rainbow Cup Final	2	0
Leinster	2021–2024	4	2	0	2	50.00%	106	26.50	111	62–7 (2022–23) URC	47–14 (2023–24) URC	0	1
Connacht	2021–2023	3	2	0	1	66.67%	88	29.33	75	53–27 (2023–24) URC	34–7 (2021–22) URC	0	1
Cardiff	2021–2023	3	3	0	0	100.00%	92	30.67	40	45–9 (2022–23) URC	19–29 (2021–22) URC	1	0
Edinburgh	2021–2023	3	1	0	2	33.33%	66	22.00	79	33–31 (2022–23) URC	31–23 (2023–24) URC	0	0
Zebre Parma	2022–2023	3	3	0	0	100.00%	177	59.00	48	78–12 (2022–23) URC	29–54 (2023–24) URC	1	2
Munster	2022–2022	2	1	0	1	50.00%	46	23.00	55	29–24 (2021–22) URC	31–17 (2022–23) URC	0	0
Scarlets	2022–2023	3	2	0	1	66.67%	148	49.33	70	63–21 (2023–24) URC	37–28 (2022–23) URC	0	2
Dragons	2022–2024	3	3	0	0	100.00%	115	38.33	44	55–20 (2021–22) URC	20–55 (2021–22) URC	0	1
Ulster	2022–2023	3	1	0	2	33.33%	76	25.33	74	34–16 (2021–22) URC	32–23 (2022–23) URC	0	0
Glasgow Warriors	2022–2022	2	1	0	1	50.00%	50	25.00	52	29–17 (2021–22) URC	35–21 (2022–23) URC	0	0
Ospreys	2022–2022	2	2	0	0	100.00%	81	40.50	57	43–26 (2022–23) URC	31–38 (2021–22) URC	1	0
Lyon	2022–2024	4	2	0	2	50.00%	136	34.00	115	59–19 (2023–24) Heineken Cup	36–42 (2022–23) Heineken Cup	1	1
Exeter Chiefs	2022–2023	2	1	0	1	50.00%	53	26.50	72	39–28 (2022–23) Heineken Cup	44–14 (2022–23) Heineken Cup	0	0
Toulouse	2023–2023	1	0	0	1	0.00%	9	9.00	33	9–33 (2022–23) Heineken Cup	33–9 (2022–23) Heineken Cup	0	0
Saracens	2023–2023	1	1	0	0	100.00%	27	27.00	16	27–16 (2023–24) Heineken Cup	16–27 (2022–23) Heineken Cup	0	0
Bristol Bears	2024–2024	1	1	0	0	100.00%	31	31.00	17	31–17 (2023–24) Heineken Cup	17–31 (2022–23) Heineken Cup	0	0
Bordeaux	2024–2024	1	1	0	0	100.00%	46	46.00	40	46–40 (2023–24) Heineken Cup	40–46 (2022–23) Heineken Cup	1	0
Northampton Saints	2024–2024	1	0	0	1	0.00%	22	22.00	59	22–59 (2023–24) Heineken Cup	59–22 (2022–23) Heineken Cup	0	0
Super Rugby	1996–2020	335	158	11	166	47.16%	8626	25.75	8875	92–3 vs Reds (2007)	75–27 vs Crusaders (2000)	30	14
Super Rugby Unlocked	2020–2020	6	5	0	1	83.33%	178	29.67	92	41–14 vs Sharks (2021)	25–30 vs Lions (2021)	1	0
Preparation Series	2021–2021	4	3	0	1	75.00%	181	45.25	115	87–10 vs Eastern Province Elephants (2021)	45–12 vs Sharks (2021)	1	1
United Rugby Championship	2021–2024	53	32	0	21	63.38%	1656	31.25	1239	78–12 vs Zebre (2022–23)	47–14 vs Leinster (2023–24)	8	6
Pro14 Rainbow Cup	2021–2021	7	5	0	2	71.43%	191	27.29	152	43–9 vs Sharks (2021)	35–8 vs Benetton (2021)	1	0
European Rugby Champions Cup	2022–2024	11	6	0	5	54.55%	324	29.45	352	59–19 vs Lyon (2023–24)	59–22 vs Northampton Saints (2023–24)	2	1
Toyota Challenge	2022–2022	1	0	0	1	0.00%	14	14.00	17	14–17 vs Cheetahs (2022)	17–14 vs Cheetahs (2022)	0	0
Overall	1996–2024	417	209	11	197	50.12%	11170	26.79	10842	92–3 vs Reds (2007)	75–27 vs Crusaders (2000)	43	23

All these stats include playoff matches (qualifiers, semi-finals and finals)
All Super Rugby fixtures vs different opponents as Northern Transvaal 1996–1997 as Bulls 1998–2020 included
All 2020 Super Rugby Unlocked fixtures included
All 2021 Preparation Series fixtures included
2021 Pro14 Rainbow Cup included
2022 Toyota Challenge included
United Rugby Championship fixtures added 2021–22 – 2023–24
European Rugby Champions Cup included 2022–23 – 2023–24
Correct as of 14 April 2024

Other notable results:

Date	Opponent	Location	Result	Bulls score	Opponent score	Notes
1 February 2001	Fiji Developmental side	Fiji	Lost	27	35	Report
3 February 2001	Fiji	Fiji	Won	33	19	Report
7 February 2001	Fiji Warriors	Fiji	Won	19	14	Report
31 January 2015	Saracens	Allianz Park, London	Won	39	26	Report
17 July 2021	South Africa A	Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town	Won	17	14	Report

Bulls records

United Rugby Championship (Rainbow Cup), Heineken Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup and Super Rugby records

Individual Records

Individual Records	United Rugby Championship	Heineken Cup	EPCR Challenge Cup	Super Rugby
Most points	320 by Chris Smith	45 by Chris Smith, Johan Goosen	N/A	1487 by Morné Steyn
Most tries	16 by Marcell Coetzee	4 by David Kriel	N/A	37 by Bryan Habana (2005–09) 2nd Akona Ndungane 33 tries (2005–14)
Most conversions	74 by Chris Smith	18 by Johan Goosen	N/A	245 by Morné Steyn
Most penalty kicks	48 by Chris Smith	8 by Chris Smith	N/A	283 by Morné Steyn
Most drop goals	1 by Chris Smith	record not set	N/A	26 by Morné Steyn

Match Records

Match Records	United Rugby Championship	Heineken Cup	EPCR Challenge Cup	Super Rugby
Biggest victory.	78–12 (v. Zebre, 2023)	59-19 (v. Lyon, 2024)	N/A	92–3 (v. Queensland Reds, 2007)
Largest points for	78 (v. Zebre, 2023)	59 (v. Lyon, 2024)	N/A	92 (v. Queensland Reds, 2007)
Biggest defeat	20–47 (v. Sharks, 2022)	22-59 (v. Northampton Saints, 2024)	N/A	9–73 (v ACT Brumbies, 1999)
Most points conceded	47 (v. Sharks, 2022)	59 (v. Northampton Saints, 2024)	N/A	75 (v Crusaders, 2000)
Most tries:	11 (v. Zebre, 2023)	9 (v. Lyon, 2024)	N/A	13 (v Queensland Reds, 2007)
Most tries conceded	5 tries on four occasions	9 (v. Northampton Saints, 2024)	N/A	11 (v Crusaders, 2000)
Most points by a player	23 by Johan Goosen (v. Zebre 2023)	13 by Chris Smith (v. Lyon, 2023)	N/A	35 by Morné Steyn (v Stormers, 2005, v Brumbies 2010)
Most tries by a player	3 (hat-trick) by Cornal Hendricks (v. Ospreys, 2022),Canan Moodie (v. Zebre 2023),David Kriel (v. Zebre 2023)	2 tries on 5 occasions	N/A	3 by Adriaan Richter (v. Blues, 1997), Fourie du Preez (v. Cats, 2004), Wynand Olivier (v. Rebels, 2011), Bjorn Basson (v. Rebels, 2016), Warrick Gelant (v. Sharks, 2017), Adriaan Strauss (v. Stormers, 2018), Warrick Gelant (v. Sharks, 2018), Rosko Specman (v. Highlanders, 2020)
Most conversions by a player	10 by Johan Goosen (v. Zebre 2023)	6 by Morné Steyn (v. Lyon, 2022)	N/A	11 by Derick Hougaard (v. Queensland Reds, 2007)
Most penalties by a player	5 by Morné Steyn (v. Sharks, 2021), Chris Smith (v. Cardiff 2021), Chris Smith (v. Munster 2022)	3 by Chris Smith (v. Toulouse, 2023), Chris Smith (v. Lyon, 2023)	N/A	8 by Jannie de Beer (v. Highlanders, 1996), Derick Hougaard (v. Crusaders, 2007)
Most drop goals by a player	1 by Chris Smith (v. Sharks 2022)	record not set	N/A	4 by Morné Steyn (v. Crusaders, 2009)

Winning Streaks

Winning Streaks	United Rugby Championship	Heineken Cup	EPCR Challenge Cup	Super Rugby
Most consecutive victories	5 (25 February 2022 – 9 April 2022 & 23 April 2022 – 10 June 2022)	3 victories	N/A	12 (25 April 2009 – 27 March 2010)

Season Records

Season Records	United Rugby Championship	Heineken Cup	EPCR Challenge Cup	Super Rugby
Most points	634 (2022–23)	213 (2023–24)	N/A	500 (2010)
Most team tries	81 (2022–23)	28 (2023–24)	N/A	59 (2018)
Most team conversions	67 (2022–23)	23 (2023–24)	N/A	47 (2018)
Most team penalties	31 (2021–22, 2022–23)	9 (2023–24)	N/A	62 (2010)
Most team drop goals	1 (2021–22)	record not set	N/A	11 (2009)
Most points by a player	153 by Chris Smith (2021–22)	41 by Johan Goosen	N/A	263 by Morné Steyn (2010 – Super Rugby record)
Most tries by a player	11 by Marcell Coetzee (2021–22)	3 by David Kriel, Marcell Coetzee, Embrose Papier, Sebastian de Klerk (2023–24)	N/A	11 by Bjorn Basson (2012)
Most conversions by a player	38 by Chris Smith (2021–22)	16 by Johan Goosen (2023–24)	N/A	38 by Morné Steyn (2010)
Most penalty kicks by a player	23 by Chris Smith (2021–22)	4 by Chris Smith (2022–23)&(2023–24)	N/A	51 Morné Steyn (2010 – Super Rugby Record)
Most drop goals by a player	1 by Chris Smith (2021–22)	record not set	N/A	11 by Morné Steyn (2009, Super Rugby Record)

Correct as of 14 April 2024 (United Rugby Championship not updated with current season yet)
Pro14 Rainbow Cup also included as URC points.

All Time Records

Individual Records	Held by
Most points	1708 by Morné Steyn (2005 – 2023)
Most tries	37 by Bryan Habana (2005–2009)
Most conversions	309 by Morné Steyn (2005 – 2023)
Most penalty kicks	314 by Morné Steyn (2005 – 2023)
Most drop goals	26 by Morné Steyn (2005 – 2023)

All 2021 Super Rugby Unlocked points included
All 2021 Preparation Series points included
2021 Pro14 Rainbow Cup points included
United Rugby Championship points included 2021–22 – 2022–23
Correct as of 3 June 2023

Play-off honours

	Finals		Semi-finals			Quarter-finals
Season	Result	Date	Season	Result	Date	Season	Result	Date
2007	Won the Super 14 final 20–19 against the Sharks	19 May 2007	1996	Lost 11–48 to Blues	19 May 1996	2012	Lost 13–28 to Crusaders	21 July 2012
2009	Won the Super 14 final 61–17 against the Chiefs	30 May 2009	2005	Lost 13–23 to Waratahs	21 May 2005	2019	Lost 28–35 to Hurricanes	22 June 2019
2010	Won the Super 14 final 25–17 against the Stormers	29 May 2010	2006	Lost 15–35 to Crusaders	20 May 2006	2023	Lost 33-21 to Stormers	6 May 2023
2021	Lost the Pro 14 Rainbow Cup final 8–35 against Benetton	19 June 2021	2013	Lost 23–26 to Brumbies	27 July 2013	2024	Lost 59-22 to Northampton Saints	13 April 2024
2022	Lost the United Rugby Championship final 13–18 against the Stormers	18 June 2022

Trophies and Honours

Team of the Year for the 2010 season
Team of the Year for the 2020 season

Major Honours

Major Honours
Competition	No of titles	Runner-up	Semi-finalists	Quarter-finalists	Qualifying-finalists	Round of 16
Super Rugby	(3) 2007, 2009, 2010	(0)	(4) 1996, 2005, 2006, 2013	(1) 2019	(1) 2012
Super Rugby Conference trophy	(1) 2013	(3) 2012, 2014, 2019
United Rugby Championship	(0)	(1) 2021–22	(0)	(1) 2022–23
United Rugby Championship SA Shield	(0)	(2) 2021–22, 2022–23
Pro14 Rainbow Cup	(0)	(1) 2021
Super Rugby Unlocked	(1) 2020	(0)
European Rugby Champions Cup	(0)	(0)	(0)	(1) 2023–24		(1) 2022–23
EPCR Challenge Cup	(0)	(0)

Minor Honours

Minor honours
Competition	Number of titles	Runner-up
Gauteng Rugby Cup	(1) 2013	(0)
Sanlam Challenge Shield	(1) 2015	(0)
Lafarge Zimbabwe Champions Cup	(0)	(1) 2016
World Club 10s	(2) 2017, 2018	(0)
Officeconomix Goodwill Challenge	(1) 2022	(0)
Toyota Challenge	(0)	(1) 2022

Season-by-season record

Competition	Season	Pos	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	BP	Pts	Playoffs	Season Result	Conference/Shield	Top points scorer	Points	Top try scorer	Tries
Bulls season standings and results
Heineken Cup
	2023–24	2nd Pool A	4	3	0	1	132	102	+30	3	15	Lost quarter-final 22-59 vs Northampton Saints	Quarter-finalists	N/A	Johan Goosen	41	David Kriel, Marcell Coetzee, Embrose Papier, Sebastian de Klerk	3
	2022–23	7th Pool A	4	2	0	2	102	139	-37	2	10	Lost Round of 16 9-33 vs Toulouse	Round of 16	N/A	Chris Smith, Morné Steyn	16	Chris Smit, Wandisile Simelane, Bernard van der Linde, Stravino Jacobs	2
United Rugby Championship
	2023–24	N/A
	2022–23	6th	18	10	0	8	613	448	+165	13	53	Lost quarter-final 21-33 to Stormers	Quarter-finalists	2nd – Runners up	Chris Smith	129	Canan Moodie	8
	2021–22	4th	18	11	0	7	518	388	+130	14	58	Lost final 13-18 to Stormers.	Runners up🥈	2nd – Runners up	Chris Smith	153	Marcell Coetzee	11
Pro14 Rainbow Cup	2021	1st	6	5	0	1	183	117	+66	5	25	Lost final 35–8 to Benetton.	Runners up🥈	N/A	Morné Steyn	53	Madosh Tambwe	4
Preparation Series	2021	1st	4	3	0	1	181	115	+66	3	15	No trophy or playoffs	Top of pool A	N/A	Chris Smith	38	Joe van Zyl	4
Super Rugby Unlocked	2020	1st	6	5	0	1	178	92	+86	3	23	No playoffs	1st – Champions🏆	N/A	Morné Steyn	62	Stedman Gans	5
Super Rugby
	2020	12th	6	1	0	5	115	152	-37	1	6	Season cancelled due to COVID-19		4th	Morné Steyn	40	Rosko Specman	4
	2019	5th	16	8	2	6	410	369	+41	3	41	Lost quarterfinals 35–28 to the Hurricanes.	Quarter-finalists	2nd – Runners up	Handré Pollard	194	Cornal Hendricks, Rosko Specman, Hanro Liebenberg	5
	2018	12th	16	6	0	10	441	502	-61	2	29			5th	Handré Pollard	144	Jesse Kriel	8
	2017	15th	15	4	0	11	339	459	-120	4	20			3rd	Tian Schoeman	80	Jesse Kriel	5
	2016	9th	15	9	1	5	399	339	+60	4	42			4th	Francois Brummer	109	Adriaan Strauss, Travis Ismaiel	6
	2015	9th	16	7	0	9	397	388	+9	10	38			3rd	Handré Pollard	167	Francois Hougaard	7
	2014	9th	16	7	1	8	365	335	+30	8	38			2nd – Runners up	Jacques-Louis Potgieter	144	Jono Ross	4
	2013	2nd	16	12	0	4	448	330	+118	7	63	Lost semi-final 23–26 to the Brumbies.	Semi-Finalists	1st – Champions 🏆	Morné Steyn	248	Jano Vermaak	5
	2012	5th	16	10	0	6	472	369	+103	11	59	Lost qualifiers 28–13 to the Crusaders.	Qualifying-finalists	2nd – Runners up	Morné Steyn	228	Bjorn Basson	10
	2011	7th	16	10	0	6	416	370	+46	6	54			3rd	Morné Steyn	216	Bjorn Basson	9
Super 14	2010	1st	13	10	0	3	436	345	+91	7	47	Defeated the Stormers 25–17	Champions 🏆 3rd	N/A	Morné Steyn	263	Gerhard van den Heever	8
	2009	1st	13	10	0	3	338	271	+67	6	46	Defeated the Chiefs 61–17	Champions 🏆 2nd	N/A	Morné Steyn	191	Bryan Habana	8
	2008	10th	13	6	0	7	324	347	−23	4	28			N/A	Morné Steyn	80	Akona Ndungane	7
	2007	1st	13	9	0	4	388	223	+165	6	42	Defeated the Sharks 19–20	Champions🏆 1st	N/A	Derick Hougaard	161	Bryan Habana	8
	2006	4th	13	7	1	5	355	290	+65	8	38	Lost semi-final 35–15 to Crusaders.	Semi-Finalists	N/A	Derick Hougaard	93	Bryan Habana	7
Super 12
	2005	3rd	11	7	0	4	301	229	+72	6	34	Lost semi-final 23–13 to Waratahs.	Semi-Finalists	N/A	Morne Steyn	110	Bryan Habana	9
	2004	6th	11	5	1	5	302	320	−18	6	28			N/A	Derick Hougaard	101	Fourie du Preez	5
	2003	6th	11	6	0	5	320	354	−34	5	30			N/A	Louis Koen	139	Frikkie Welsh	5
	2002	12th	11	0	0	11	232	500	−268	1	1			N/A	Boeta Wessels	29	Adrian Jacobs, Wylie Human	5
	2001	12th	11	2	0	9	241	378	−137	3	11			N/A	Casper Steyn	97	Frikkie Welsh, Friedrich Lombard, Adrian Jacobs	4
	2000	11th	11	1	2	8	231	395	−164	3	11			N/A	Jannie de Beer	123	Deon de Kock	3
	1999	12th	11	1	0	10	203	447	−244	3	7			N/A	Franco Smith	59	Jan-Harm van Wyk, Schutte Bekker, Pierre Ribbens	2
	1998	11th	11	3	0	8	249	306	−57	4	16			N/A	Franco Smith	65	Casper Steyn	5
	1997	8th	11	3	3	5	264	342	−78	4	22			N/A	Casper Steyn	50	Jacques Olivier	4
	1996	4th	11	8	0	3	329	208	+121	6	38	Lost semi-final 48–11 to Auckland Blues.	Semi-Finalists	N/A	Jannie Kruger	139	Adriaan Richter	4
Super 10 (amateur era)	1995											Did not qualify		N/A
	1994											Did not qualify		N/A
	1993	3rd	4	2	0	2	109	109	0	0	8			N/A

Gold background denotes champions
Silver background denotes runner-up
Bronze background denotes semi-finalists
Cyan background denotes quarter-finalists
Purple background denotes Round of 16

↑ After entering the Champions Cup/Heineken Cup competition from the EPCR Challenge Cup

↓ After dropping into the EPCR Challenge Cup competition from the Champions Cup/Heineken Cup


Key:	Super 10		Super 12		Super 14		Super Rugby		Super Rugby Unlocked		Preparation Series		Pro 14 Rainbow Cup		United Rugby Championship		European Rugby Champions Cup		EPCR Challenge Cup

References

1 2 "Rugby-Bulls blitz Reds 92–3 to earn home semi-final". Reuters. 5 May 2007. Retrieved 6 May 2007.
↑ "Jake White on 'sleeping giant' Bulls' title win: The Liverpool of rugby has awakened". News24. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
↑ "White wanted Bulls to remain only SA Super Rugby winners". SA Rugby. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
↑ "Benetton 35-8 Bulls: Benetton stun Bulls to win Rainbow Cup". skysports. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
↑ "United Rugby Championship: Cardiff 19-29 Bulls". BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
↑ "Sports stadiums in South Africa". SouthAfrica.info. Archived from the original on 3 January 2013. Retrieved 6 May 2007.
↑ "Loftus Versfeld – History". Vodacom Blue Bulls. Archived from the original on 4 October 2007. Retrieved 6 May 2007.
↑ "2023/24 Vodacom Bulls squad confirmed". Bulls Rugby. 9 August 2023. Retrieved 9 August 2023.

External links

Official website

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.

[semi-1] 1 2 "Rugby-Bulls blitz Reds 92–3 to earn home semi-final". Reuters. 5 May 2007. Retrieved 6 May 2007.

[Jake_White_on_'sleeping_giant'_Bulls'_title_win:_The_Liverpool_of_rugby_has_awakened-2] "Jake White on 'sleeping giant' Bulls' title win: The Liverpool of rugby has awakened". News24. Retrieved 10 October 2021.

[White_wanted_Bulls_to_remain_only_SA_Super_Rugby_winners-3] "White wanted Bulls to remain only SA Super Rugby winners". SA Rugby. Retrieved 10 October 2021.

[Benetton_35-8_Bulls:_Benetton_stun_Bulls_to_win_Rainbow_Cup-4] "Benetton 35-8 Bulls: Benetton stun Bulls to win Rainbow Cup". skysports. Retrieved 10 October 2021.

[United_Rugby_Championship:_Cardiff_19-29_Bulls-5] "United Rugby Championship: Cardiff 19-29 Bulls". BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 October 2021.

[6] "Sports stadiums in South Africa". SouthAfrica.info. Archived from the original on 3 January 2013. Retrieved 6 May 2007.

[7] "Loftus Versfeld – History". Vodacom Blue Bulls. Archived from the original on 4 October 2007. Retrieved 6 May 2007.

[8] "2023/24 Vodacom Bulls squad confirmed". Bulls Rugby. 9 August 2023. Retrieved 9 August 2023.

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v t e Bulls – current squad
Forwards	Cyle Brink Nizaam Carr Marcell Coetzee Johan Grobbelaar Mpilo Gumede Cameron Hanekom Robert Hunt Jannes Kirsten Francois Klopper Tiaan Lange Sebastian Lombard Elrigh Louw Wilco Louw Reinhardt Ludwig Phumzile Maqondwana Simphiwe Matanzima Khutha Mchunu Mihlali Mosi Tielman Nieuwoudt Ruan Nortjé Merwe Olivier Deon Slabbert Dylan Smith Mornay Smith Gerhard Steenekamp WJ Steenkamp Janko Swanepoel Muller Uys Akker van der Merwe JF van Heerden Jacques van Rooyen Marco van Staden Joe van Zyl Ruan Vermaak Jan-Hendrik Wessels
Backs	Kurt-Lee Arendse Zak Burger Sebastian de Klerk Stedman Gans Johan Goosen Cornal Hendricks Henry Immelman Stravino Jacobs Marco Jansen van Vuren Keagan Johannes David Kriel Willie le Roux Lionel Mapoe Kabelo Mokoena Canan Moodie Sibongile Novuka Embrose Papier Sergeal Petersen Chris Smit Cornel Smit Chris Smith Bernard van der Linde Jaco van der Walt Harold Vorster Devon Williams
Coach	Jake White

Authority control databases
International	ISNI VIAF
National	United States