‘I can only be proud': Bulls satisfied with three wins on tough tour
The Bulls became the first team to beat Bayonne at home this season, the first South African side to win at Munster, and just the second to triumph in Glasgow.
The Bulls wrapped up their month-long tour with a win against Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun Stadium. Picture: Calum Chittleburgh/SNS Group via Getty Images
The coach and captain of the Bulls have expressed satisfaction after a successful tour in Europe, beating three out of four top teams and making history along the way.
The Bulls were the first side to beat Bayonne at home this season, winning 32–22. Then they narrowly lost 34–28 to Edinburgh in Scotland in the Challenge Cup quarter final, before becoming the first South African side to beat Munster at their home ground (final score 16–13).
The Bulls followed that up on Friday with a 26–19 win against defending champions Glasgow Warriors, becoming only the second South African team to win at Scotstoun after the Cheetahs did it in 2019.
The Bulls return home for a week off before hosting their last United Rugby Championship league matches against Cardiff and Dragons before the tournament play-offs.
Bulls wrap up tour in 'outstanding' fashion
'It takes a massive effort, especially because it was away from home,' Bulls coach Jake White said.
'I'm just very happy that in a short week we have been able to replicate what we did last week and that was to show a lot of heart. Defensively, we were outstanding last week and this week.
'All I can say is it's a very good way to finish the tour because now we go back and we have two home games. Destiny is now in our hands, which is fantastic.'
He said being on tour away from their families for so long and playing against tough opposition in different conditions, plus playing against Edinburgh and Glasgow on unfamiliar artificial pitches, had been tough on the players.
'I can only be proud of that performance because it now sets us up nicely for when we get home and we can really prepare properly for the back-end of the competition.'
Captain highlights team cohesion after month away from home
Bulls captain Ruan Nortje also said he was proud of the team after rectifying the mistakes they made against Munster.
'I think for us coming here today was all about… rectifying what we did last week and coming into this game with the same intent, especially on our fourth week on tour,' Nortje said.
'It was very special to see how the guys stuck together. It's really a massive boost for us for the last part of the season.'
While the Bulls did not overtake Glasgow on the log due to the Scottish side securing a losing bonus point, they have closed the gap for second place to just one point, while pulling nine points ahead of the Sharks in fourth place.
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