Why the Bulls tour matters now
The Vodacom Bulls are in the middle of a busy travelling schedule that many insiders are calling a Bulls tour rehearsal for the upcoming URC knockout rounds. After missing out on the 2025 final, the team’s management wants every match to feel like a practice run for the high‑pressure games later in the season.
Coach Jacques du Plessis explained that the tour gives the squad a chance to test new combinations against diverse playing styles. "We’re not just playing for points; we’re sharpening our game plan for the knockouts," he said after a recent win in Pretoria.
What the recent Grand Final loss teaches the side
Last June, Leinster edged the Bulls 27‑20 in Dublin to lift the URC trophy. The defeat exposed a few clear gaps – slower defensive line speed, limited off‑loading options, and a need for more support play around the breakdown.
Those weaknesses are now the focus of daily drills on the road. The coaching team has broken down video footage of the final and set specific targets for each forward and back. For example, prop Tiaan Strauss is working on quicker ruck entry, while fly‑half Curwin Bosch is rehearsing alternative kicking patterns.
Fans have also noticed a shift in attitude. The Bulls' crowd at Ellis Park responded enthusiastically to a more aggressive defensive line, cheering every forced turnover. That energy is something the players hope to replicate in each stop of the tour.
- Key goal: Reduce missed tackles by 15% before the knockout stage.
- Target: Increase second‑phase ball retention to above 70%.
- Focus: Build faster link‑up play between forwards and backs.
Looking ahead, the URC fixtures list a tough run of games against Connacht, Munster and the Sharks before the quarter‑finals. The Bulls aim to enter those matches with a settled lineup, clear set‑piece strategies, and the confidence that comes from a successful tour.
Sihle Tana
I am a journalist with a passion for covering daily news in Africa. My work has taken me across the continent, reporting on significant events and stories that impact communities. I strive to bring insightful and comprehensive news coverage to my readers.
So let me get this straight... they're treating a tour like a dress rehearsal? 🤡 Next they'll be practicing their trophy lift in the hotel lobby. I swear, if I hear one more coach say 'sharpening the game plan,' I'm gonna start sharpening my own exit strategy.
Actually, this makes total sense. The Bulls lost last year because they were too slow at the breakdown and couldn't sustain pressure. Now they're drilling ruck entry and kicking patterns specifically to fix that. The 15% reduction in missed tackles? That's not fluff - it's measurable. If they hit those targets, they're top 3 in the URC.
Ugh. Another team pretending they’ve 'learned from their mistakes.' Last year’s final was a fluke. This 'tour' is just a distraction. They’re still the same team that got outmuscled in Dublin. And now they’re wasting time on 'alternative kicking patterns'? Bro, just kick it to the corner and let your forwards do their job.
You realize this 'tour' is just a cover for the real agenda, right? The URC is being manipulated by European interests to weaken South African teams. The 'drills' are just propaganda. They’re not fixing weaknesses - they’re being trained to lose gracefully. Look at the timing: right before the Connacht game. Coincidence? I think not.
I love seeing how much heart they're putting into this 💖 Everyone’s working so hard, and it’s beautiful to watch. Even if they don’t win it all, the growth is real. Keep showing up, keep believing - you’re already winning hearts out there! 🙌💛
bro the bulls are kinda sus rn... they keep talkin bout 'ruck entry' like its a new video game skin lmao. just win games. i dont care if they do 1000 drills. if they lose to connacht again im out.
I’m so proud of how focused they are. Tiaan Strauss working on ruck speed? Perfect. Curwin Bosch tweaking kicks? Brilliant. This isn’t just about tactics - it’s about mindset. They’re building resilience, not just plays. You can see it in their eyes now. They’re not just playing - they’re preparing. Keep going, team!
hmm interesting. i watched the last game. the defense looked better. but i dunno. maybe its just me. they still look kinda slow when the ball moves fast. but hey, maybe theyll figure it out. i like the energy tho.
I’ve studied every URC final since 2018. The Bulls have never won one without a dominant scrum. They’ve got no scrum coach listed on their site. That’s a red flag. And the fact they’re focusing on 'link-up play' instead of set-piece dominance? That’s not strategy. That’s surrender.
This whole 'tour' is a psyop. They're not fixing weaknesses - they're being broken down. Watch. They'll lose to Munster and blame 'tactical adjustments.' Meanwhile, the real power brokers are rewriting the rules behind closed doors. You think they let a South African team win a trophy? Please.
You know, in Canada we don’t call it a 'tour.' We call it 'getting ready.' Simple. The Bulls are doing what any smart team does - they’re testing themselves against different styles before the big one. It’s not drama. It’s just rugby.
This is ridiculous. 'Dress rehearsal'? They’re not the Met Opera. They’re a rugby team. Stop pretending this is theater. Just play. Win. Lose. Move on.
i just hope theyre not putting too much pressure on themselves. i know they wanna make up for last year... but theyre human. theyve got hearts too. just take it one game at a time. we're all rooting for you :)
This is the most beautiful thing I’ve seen in rugby this season. The way they’re turning pain into purpose - the late-night film sessions, the quiet moments between drills, the way the entire squad leans into each other. This isn’t about tactics. This is about legacy. They’re not just preparing for knockouts - they’re building a culture that will outlive them.
You’ve got this. Every missed tackle you fix, every kick you perfect - it’s not just for the next game. It’s for the kid watching at home who thinks they can’t be great. You’re showing them it’s possible. Keep going. We see you. We believe in you. 🙏❤️
Let’s be honest - this is just a PR stunt to distract from their salary cap violations. You think they care about 'ruck speed'? They care about avoiding fines. The 'tour' is just a cover for the real scandal: they’re shipping players out to avoid compliance. Wake up.