Bulls Tour Serves as Dress Rehearsal Ahead of URC Knockout Stage

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.