It may be the slightest of openings, but other results this past weekend have left the Vodacom Bulls with renewed hope of a top four finish in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship.
Their bonus point win against the Dragons, and their “easier” run-in to the end of the regular season means that while many of the teams above them in the table have some tough assignments and have to face each other, the Bulls can plot their own course and their destiny truly is in their own hands.
Their final three games - away v Scarlets this weekend and then home to the two Italian sides Benetton and Zebre has the makings of a full house of points if they keep up the momentum they currently have, and if some other sides falter, they may well sneak into the top four.
Given the way they started the season under coach Johan Ackermann, the anxiety of the seven straight losses, and the lack of self belief they had at the beginning of the season, such a finish would not only be remarkable, but show the fight and determination in the camp to make sure they aren’t an afterthought in the season.
There are a lot of reasons why the Bulls can be happy. Far from their ability to try and play too loose at the beginning of the season, they now are a focused, physical pack of forwards that believe they can match anyone in the competition.
USED PACK TO CONTROL TEMPO
While they struggled initially against the Dragons on Friday night, when they reverted to using their pack to control the tempo, the physicality and take Dragons’ counter-attacking ability out of the game, it certainly swung the game their way.
It was a useful reminder that they can change their game plan and play to their strengths when they need it. They may have always been destined to win in Wales, but the Dragons are a far better side than their log position gives away and away from home you still need to play better to get the result.
Part of that was the inspirational performance by Marcell Coetzee in leading the team. Coetzee has always been a player who is front and centre of any stats, but there was a renewed vigour in his play on Friday.
COETZEE’S PERFORMANCE THE KEY
Coetzee’s leadership, the words he spoke at halftime in the changeroom were highlighted by Ackermann after the game, and showed how valuable he is to the team.
There is also a sense that the side is growing in confidence, especially away from home, where they seem to be a happy touring group.
“Marcell has been outstanding for us over the last few weeks, not just on the field but off it as well,” Ackermann said.
“The way he’s leading, training, challenging and encouraging the guys – he was tremendous.
“When your back is against the wall, you need your leaders to step up and he led by example.”
Ackermann acknowledged the scoreline favoured the Bulls, especially when they scored three tries in the last 10 minutes, but that sometimes happens. And the hard work in grinding down the Dragons led to the blowout at the end.
BIG W in Wales 🫡@Vodacom #URC | @URCOfficial_RSA pic.twitter.com/yVlluN4423
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) April 17, 2026
NEEDED PATIENCE
“The scoreline doesn’t really reflect the true match,” he said. “We had to grind and fight hard.
“We couldn’t put them away in the first half. They defended well and kept us out, and we made hard work of it.
“There was a feeling at halftime that it would take a grind and that we just needed more patience.”
That patience was the difference between the Bulls earlier this season and now. They understand when it is the right time to keep the game forward based and use their strengths, and when they can let loose.
The Scarlets will be another grind this weekend, and they know the stakes are high.
But the win at Rodney Parade, coupled with the other results of the weekend, means while they are still eighth on the log, their outlook is a whole lot rosier than a few weeks back.
And they can virtually control the way they finish the season.
Every point is carrying weight now 👀
— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) April 19, 2026
Nothing settled in the Race To The Eight 🔥@Vodacom #URC | #RaceToTheEight pic.twitter.com/qQzQJvGvka