The on-going evolution of the Blue Bulls may have looked to have taken a turn for the worse in their unconvincing 24-17 win against the Free State Cheetahs this past weekend.
Yet, their suspect performance was the perfect test of character ahead of their titanic top-of-the-table clash against the Golden Lions on Saturday at Loftus Versfeld.
While the Bulls struggled to get out of second gear and were made to defend for more than they have this season by a spirited Cheetahs team – it was the first time in their campaign that they walked off the field without the maximum number of points – the flame that had burnt so brightly earlier in the season also showed signs of flickering.
However, Bulls coach Nollis Marais believes that Friday night’s game was an important component of the growing pains that comes with putting together a championship winning side and that them passing a crucial character test at the halfway mark of the competition, would serve them well going forward.
As much as the game looked to miss that mad dash for tries in the second half and the Bulls looked a shadow of the team that has run rampant since the beginning of the competition, it was their composure and ability to play with the maturity way beyond their years, that would have been key for Marais.
While the start to the game continues to be of concern to Marais – his team still doesn’t dictate play from the onset – the Bulls showed enough resilience when under siege from wave after wave of Cheetahs’ attacks, proving that they are now also mastering a key pillar with regard to winning the Currie Cup: Defence.
It will be pivotal for the Bulls ambitions in lifting this year’s domestic title, much like their attack has injected a new lease on life that has seen them stay at the top of the log along with the Lions since the start of the campaign.
“I knew it was always going to be a battle with so many youngsters in our team. I knew we had to get through this game, especially in the wet conditions for the guys to learn something.
“We’ve played most our games so far in dry conditions which has allowed us to run with the ball but under wet conditions the guys needed to learn how to adapt and play accordingly,” Marais said.
“I am very impressed with how the guys managed the game and the character they showed against a very good Cheetahs side.
“It was important for us to win ugly but more so to keep the belief in the side ahead of a big game like the one against the Lions. I believe we learnt more out of the game against the Cheetahs than we have from the season so far and I must commend my players for the maturity they showed,” added Marais.
In hindsight, going into the Jukskei Derby as underdogs to the Lions, might not be a bad thing at all for Marais’ team as it puts reality into perspective that regardless of the good rugby they have played thus far, their journey to the championship is a long way from being complete.
“We needed this type of game, we needed our character to be tested,” said Marais.
“I’m happy with the four points but I am also happy with how the players stayed calm. This will be big for us going into the business end of the competition”. - The Star