Bulls (rugby union) explained

Bulls (rugby union) should not be confused with Blue Bulls.

Teamname:Bulls
Union:South African Rugby Union
Location:Pretoria, South Africa
Countryflag:South Africa
Founded:1938 (Northern Transvaal Rugby Union)
1997 (Bulls franchise)
Region:Gauteng
Ground:Loftus Versfeld Stadium
Capacity:51,762
Rugby Director:Jake White
Coach:Jake White
Captain:Marcell Coetzee
Ruan Nortjé
Appearances:Morné Steyn (144)
Top Scorer:Morné Steyn (1639)
Most Tries:Bryan Habana (37)
League:United Rugby Championship
Season:2022–23
Position:Quarter Finals
South African Shield: 2nd
(6th overall)
Url:https://bullsrugby.co.za/
Pattern La1:_navyborder
Pattern B1:_vnecknavy
Pattern Ra1:_navyborder
Pattern So1:_navystripe
Leftarm1:75C2EE
Body1:75C2EE
Rightarm1:75C2EE
Shorts1:0A3A79
Socks1:75C2EE
Pattern La2:_navyborder
Pattern B2:_vneckwhite
Pattern Ra2:_navyborder
Pattern So2:_navystripe
Leftarm2:E6F7FF
Body2:E6F7FF
Rightarm2:E6F7FF
Shorts2:ffffff
Socks2:ffffff

The Bulls (known for sponsorship reasons as the Vodacom Bulls) are a South African professional rugby union team based in Pretoria. They play their home matches at Loftus Versfeld. They compete in the United Rugby Championship, having competed in the Super Rugby competition until 2020. Prior to 1998, the Bulls competed in the then-Super 12 as Northern Transvaal, as in those years South Africa was represented in the competition by its top four Currie Cup sides from the previous season, instead of the modern Super Rugby teams.

The side won the Super 14 in 2007, 2009 and 2010, placing them among the most successful teams in Super Rugby history with three titles. They were the most successful team of the Super 14 era (2006–10), winning three out of the five titles. They are the most successful South African team, and the only South African team to win a Super Rugby title.

History

Early history

Prior to the professional Super Rugby competition, Northern Transvaal competed in the Super 10, which was a tournament featuring ten teams from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Tonga and Western Samoa, which ran from 1993 to 1995. The top three teams from the previous Currie Cup season qualified for each of the Super 10 tournaments.

Northern Transvaal competed in the 1993 season, where they were grouped in Pool B alongside Transvaal, New South Wales, North Harbour and Waikato. Transvaal finished at the top of the pool, with Northern Transvaal finishing third, behind New South Wales. Northern Transvaal did not qualify for the Super 10 (Southern Hemisphere competition)#1994 Super 10 or 1995 seasons.

Early Professional Era (1996–2005)

After rugby union went professional, the Super 10 tournament was restructured. The Super 12 was created, and was to be competed by teams from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Both Australia and New Zealand adopted new franchise models for their teams, whereas South Africa chose to use the Currie Cup to decide what teams were to be promoted in the Super 12 each season.

Competing in the inaugural Super 12 season of 1996, Northern Transvaal were one of the 12 teams. The side won eight of their 11 games and finished third on the table – behind only Auckland and Queensland. Jannie Kruger finished the season in the top three leading point-scorers, behind only Matt Burke and John Eales. The side was however soundly defeated in a semi-final by the Auckland Blues, with the final score being 48 points to 11. The game was played at Eden Park in Auckland.

After their fairly successful performance in the opening competition, the subsequent competition of 1997 saw them with three wins and three draws from 11 games. They finished at eighth. Following the 1997 season, South Africa adopted a similar franchise system to that of Australia and New Zealand's, abolishing the Currie Cup promotion system in favour of creating new franchises. The Bulls were formed as one of the four new teams. They did not make the semis in the 1998 season. The Bulls were considered one of the worst teams in the Super 12 competition, finishing last or second to last for five consecutive seasons from 1998 to 2003. In 2002, they became the first team ever to go through an entire Super Rugby season without winning a single game. This record remained until the Lions repeated the feat during the 2010 season. After finishing fourth in the inaugural competition, they did not make the semis again until the years 2003.

The Bulls finished in 6th place in both 2003 and 2004, though still missing out on a finals position. They equalled there 1996 performance in 2005, although there was a very poor start to the season, it was followed by six straight wins to earn them a semi-final berth, where they were defeated by the New South Wales Waratahs. Bryan Habana finished in the top three try-scorers by the end of the season, and was short-listed for IRB player of the year.

Super 14 Era (2006–10)

In 2006, the Super 12 became the Super 14, with the addition of two new franchises, the Cheetahs and the Western Force. By the last round of the 2006 season, the Bulls, along with the Brumbies and Sharks were all in contention to take the fourth and final position on the ladder to make the semi-finals. After the Brumbies were defeated 33 to 3 by the Crusaders, the Bulls or Sharks could mathematically take the fourth spot. The Bulls defeated the Stormers at Newlands in Cape Town 43 points to 10, which ensured they went through to the semi-finals. The Bulls travelled to Christchurch where they were defeated 35 to 15 at Jade Stadium and knocked out of the finals.

The Bulls lost their first game of the 2007 Super 14 season, going down to the Sharks in Durban 17 points to 3. Entering week 14, the last round of the regular season, the Bulls were chasing an unlikely 72-point win over the Queensland Reds in order to move into second place and get a home semi-final.[1] At Loftus, the Bulls defeated the Reds 92 points to 3, with the 89-point margin of victory setting a new Super rugby record. The Bulls ran in 13 tries with four players getting doubles and Derick Hougaard kicking 11 conversions. The Sharks finished first, so it became the first time that both home venues in the semi-finals was in South Africa.

The Bulls defeated the Crusaders in their semi-final by 27 points to 12, with Derick Hougaard kicking eight penalties and a drop-goal. The Sharks ensured a home-final in the 2007 Super 14-competition by defeating the Blues with a scoreline of 34–18.

When the Bulls met the Sharks in the Super 14 final at the Absa Stadium in Durban the match turned out to be a tight, nervous affair with the Bulls initially being guilty of indiscipline and making a lot of mistakes. The Sharks carried a 14–10 advantage into half-time after a JP Pietersen try cancelled out one from Pierre Spies. The second half of the match was just as nail-biting, with the Bulls gaining the ascendancy in the match, but failing to turn their rising amount of possession into points. A Derick Hougaard penalty closed the gap to 14–13, after which the Bulls made several onslaughts on the Sharks line, only to lose the ball at critical stages. Their match looked to be all but over for the Bulls when Albert van den Berg barged over the line for a Sharks try two minutes from full-time to stretch their lead to six points. However, François Steyn failed with the conversion attempt, and the Bulls restarted with barely seconds on the clock. After regaining the ball from the kick-off, play went through several phases before Bryan Habana received the ball on the right wing. He cut infield and scored the most dramatic of match winning tries, more than a minute after official play. The try was converted by Derick Hougaard and the Bulls won the match 20–19. In 2009 the Bulls again won the Super 14, defeating the Chiefs 61 – 17 in the final in Pretoria.

In 2010 the Bulls again finished top of the log by beating the Crusaders in a home semi final to secure a home final. Because the FIFA World Cup was being hosted by South Africa that year and Loftus was included as a venue, they had to play the semi and final in Soweto, a first in Super Rugby history. The Stormers had beaten the Waratahs at home and would face off with the Bulls in the Final. The Bulls won the final once again in dramatic style when Francois Hougaard sidestepped the Stormers fullback Joe Petersen to score an impressive try.

Super Rugby Era (2011–2020)

The Bulls only managed the Super Rugby South African Conference trophy in 2013 and they were three time conference runner-up in 2012, 2014 and 2019. They also reached the Qualifiers twice and Semi-final once but lost all three play-off matches.

After the 2020 Super Rugby season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a replacement tournament was announced for each country. The South African tournament was called Super Rugby Unlocked and the Bulls were crowned the champions after ending top of the log.[2]

The South African teams withdrew from the competition entirely, making the Bulls the only South African winners of any form of the Super Rugby trophy.[3]

Pro14 and United Rugby Championship Era (2021–present)

The Pro14 Rainbow Cup was announced as an end-of-season cup competition to introduce the South African teams after their withdrawal from Super Rugby. After the regular season the top of the South African log Bulls faced European top Benetton in the final in Italy. The Bulls lost their first match in Europe as well as the Pro14 Rainbow Cup final 35–8.[4]

The 2021–22 season was a tough start for the Bulls with two straight losses in Europe against Leinster 31-3 and Connacht 34–7. The Bulls got their first win in Europe on 9 October 2021 beating Cardiff Blues 29–19.[5]

They went on to finish in 4th place on the overall standings after regular season, securing a home quarter-final.

Location

The team is centred around the Blue Bulls Rugby Union, whose catchment covers Pretoria as well as Limpopo, but also draws players from the Falcons Rugby Union, who represent the East Rand. Through 2005, the Bulls also drew players from the Pumas Rugby Union and Leopards Rugby Union, but in the realignment of franchise areas that came from the expansion of Super 12 to Super 14, these unions were moved into the Lions.

Stadium

The Bulls play all their home matches at the Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria, which is also the home of the Blue Bulls during the Currie Cup season. The stadium is also a regular host for Springboks Test matches, and was a venue during the 1995 Rugby World Cup which South Africa hosted. Loftus was a venue for Pool D matches including France v Tonga, Scotland v Tonga and France v Scotland. Loftus was also used twice during the finals stages – for the New Zealand v Scotland quarter-final and the England v France third place play-off.

The ground has been used for rugby since 1908, and in 1932 the stadium was renamed to Loftus Versfeld in honor of Robert Owen Loftus Versfeld, the founder of organized rugby in Pretoria.[6] [7] The stadium has undergone numerous renovations over the years, and is currently capable of holding 51,762 spectators.

Primary sponsor

Since 2005, the team's main sponsor has been mobile communications company Vodacom.[8] On the team's website and all team-issued press releases, the Bulls are referred to as the Vodacom Bulls.

Current squad

The Bulls squad for the 2024–25 United Rugby Championship is.

Bulls United Rugby Championship squad
Props

Hookers

Locks

Loose forwards

Scrum-halves

Fly-halves

Centres

Outside backs

(cx) Denotes team co-captains, Bold denotes internationally capped, ST denotes a short-term signing.

Coaches

Captains

Statistics

Results by opponent in European competitions

The results for the Bulls vs different opponents in European competitions

URC, Rainbow Cup, European Rugby Champions Cup
OppositionSpanPlayedWonDrawnLostWin%Points forBest scoreWorst score40–49 points50+ points<-- Opposition Span Played Won Drawn Lost Win% Points for Average points for Points against Best score Worst score 40–49 points50+ pointsResult-->
2021–2024 8 6 0 2 75.00% 221 27.63 148 0 0
2021–2024 10 3 0 7 30.00% 234 23.40 251 1 0
2021–2024 9 6 0 3 66.67% 275 30.56 215 3 0
2021–2024 5 4 0 1 80.00% 184 36.80 144 35–8 (2021) Final 2 1
2021–2024 5 3 0 2 60.00% 131 26.20 131 0 1
2021–2023 3 2 0 1 66.67% 88 29.33 75 0 1
2021–2023 3 3 0 0 100.00% 92 30.67 40 1 0
2021–2024 4 1 0 2 25.00% 82 20.50 100 0 0
2022–2023 3 3 0 0 100.00% 177 59.00 48 1 2
2022–2024 3 1 0 2 33.33% 68 22.67 82 0 0
2022–2023 3 2 0 1 66.67% 148 49.33 70 0 2
2022–2024 3 3 0 0 100.00% 115 38.33 44 0 1
2022–2023 3 1 0 2 33.33% 76 25.33 74 0 0
2022–2024 3 2 0 1 66.67% 90 30.00 86 1 0
2022–2024 3 3 0 0 100.00% 142 47.33 81 1 1
2022–2024 4 2 0 2 50.00% 136 34.00 115 1 1
2022–2023 2 1 0 1 50.00% 53 26.50 72 0 0
2023–2023 1 0 0 1 0.00% 9 9.00 33 0 0
2023–2023 1 1 0 0 100.00% 27 27.00 16 0 0
2024–2024 1 1 0 0 100.00% 31 31.00 17 0 0
2024–2024 1 1 0 0 100.00% 46 46.00 40 1 0
2024–2024 1 0 0 1 0.00% 22 22.00 59 0 0
Overall 2021–2024 79 49 0 30 62.03 2447 30.97 1941 12 10

Overall results by opponent in all competitions

The complete results for the Bulls vs different opponents in all competitions

Super Rugby, Super Rugby Unlocked, Preparation Series, Pro14 Rainbow Cup, United Rugby Championship, European Rugby Champions Cup, Toyota Challenge
OppositionSpanPlayedWonDrawnLostWin%Points forBest scoreWorst score40–49 points50+ points<-- Opposition Span Played Won Drawn Lost Win% Points for Average points for Points against Best score Worst score 40–49 points50+ pointsResult-->
1996–202444 27 3 14 61.36% 104523.75 959 44–10 (2023–24) URC47–20 (2022–23) URC 6 0
1996–201922 12 0 10 54.55% 506 23.00 609 48–38 (2010) Super Rugby53–7 (2001) Super Rugby1 0
1996–202023 7 2 14 30.43% 568 24.70 644 59–29 (1996) Super Rugby65–23 (1999) Super Rugby2 2
1996–202023 10 0 13 43.48% 614 26.70 521 92–3 (2007) Super Rugby48–12 (2002) Super Rugby2 2
1996–201927 10 0 17 37.04% 626 23.19 909 40–35 (2010) Super Rugby75–27 (2000) Super Rugby1 0
1996–202023 7 2 14 30.43% 588 25.57 759 59–26 (2009) Super Rugby65–24 (2002) Super Rugby2 1
1996–201923 8 2 13 34.78% 636 27.65 745 61–17 (2009) Super Rugby Final53–24 (2002) Super Rugby1 1
1996–202438 24 1 13 63.16% 108828.63 966 62–52 (2004) Super Rugby57–24 (1999) Super Rugby2 2
1996–201922 10 0 12 45.45% 567 25.77 602 48–14 (2013) Super Rugby64–32 (1997) Super Rugby4 0
1996–201923 8 0 15 34.78% 568 24.70 672 50–32 (2010) Super Rugby73–9 (1999) Super Rugby1 1
1996–202446 18 1 27 39.13%1070 23.26 1029 75–14 (2005) Super Rugby42–19 (1999) Super Rugby4 1
1997–202222 16 0 6 72.73% 669 30.41 496 60–20 (2008) Super Rugby42–29 (2015) Super Rugby2 3
2006–201610 6 0 4 60.00% 264 26.40 221 42–20 (2016) Super Rugby30–27 (2007) Super Rugby1 0
2011–20197 6 0 1 85.71% 253 36.14 125 47–10 (2011) Super Rugby35–41 (2012) Super Rugby4 0
2013–20174 3 0 1 75.00% 150 37.50 55 48–18 (2013) Super Rugby31–30 (2017) Super Rugby1 0
2016–20185 3 0 2 60.00% 171 34.20 114 50–3 (2016) Super Rugby42–37 (2018) Super Rugby0 1
2016–20207 2 0 5 28.57% 160 22.86 218 43–34 (2018) Super Rugby54–25 (2018) Super Rugby1 0
2020–20201 1 0 0 100.00% 30 30.00 23 30–23 (2020) Super Rugby Unlocked23–30 (2020) Super Rugby Unlocked0 0
2020–20212 2 0 0 100.00% 69 34.50 36 48–31 (2020) Preparation Series31–48 (2020) Preparation Series1 0
2021–20211 1 0 0 100.00% 87 87.00 10 87–10 (2021) Preparation Series10–87 (2021) Preparation Series0 1
2021–20245 4 0 1 80.00% 184 36.80 144 56–35 (2023–24) URC35–8 (2021) Rainbow Cup Final2 1
2021–20245 3 0 2 60.00% 131 26.20 131 62–7 (2022–23) URC47–14 (2023–24) URC0 1
2021–20233 2 0 1 66.67% 88 29.33 75 53–27 (2023–24) URC34–7 (2021–22) URC0 1
2021–20233 3 0 0 100.00%92 30.67 40 45–9 (2022–23) URC19–29 (2021–22) URC1 0
2021–20244 1 0 3 25.00%82 20.50 100 33–31 (2022–23) URC31–23 (2023–24) URC0 0
2022–20233 3 0 0 100.00%17759.00 48 78–12 (2022–23) URC29–54 (2023–24) URC1 2
2022–20243 1 0 2 33.33% 68 22.67 82 29–24 (2021–22) URC31–17 (2022–23) URC00
2022–20233 2 0 1 66.67%148 49.33 70 63–21 (2023–24) URC37–28 (2022–23) URC02
2022–20243 3 0 0 100.00%115 38.33 44 55–20 (2021–22) URC20–55 (2021–22) URC01
2022–20233 1 0 2 33.33%76 25.33 74 34–16 (2021–22) URC32–23 (2022–23) URC00
2022–20243 2 0 1 66.67% 90 30.00 86 40–34 (2023–24) URC35–21 (2022–23) URC10
2022–20243 3 0 0 100.00%142 47.33 81 61–24 (2023–24) URC31–38 (2021–22) URC11
2022–20244 2 0 2 50.00%136 34.00 115 59–19 (2023–24) Heineken Cup36–42 (2022–23) Heineken Cup11
2022–20232 1 0 1 50.00%53 26.50 72 39–28 (2022–23) Heineken Cup44–14 (2022–23) Heineken Cup00
2023–20231 0 0 1 0.00% 9 9.00 33 9–33 (2022–23) Heineken Cup33–9 (2022–23) Heineken Cup00
2023–20231 1 0 0 100.00% 27 27.00 16 27–16 (2023–24) Heineken Cup16–27 (2022–23) Heineken Cup00
2024–20241 1 0 0 100.00% 31 31.00 17 31–17 (2023–24) Heineken Cup17–31 (2022–23) Heineken Cup00
2024–20241 1 0 0 100.00% 46 46.00 40 46–40 (2023–24) Heineken Cup40–46 (2022–23) Heineken Cup10
2024–20241 0 0 1 0.00% 22 22.00 59 22–59 (2023–24) Heineken Cup59–22 (2022–23) Heineken Cup00
Super Rugby 1996–2020 335 158 11 166 47.16% 8626 25.75 8875 92–3 vs Reds (2007) 75–27 vs Crusaders (2000) 30 14
Super Rugby Unlocked 2020–2020 6 5 0 1 83.33% 178 29.67 92 41–14 vs Sharks (2021) 25–30 vs Lions (2021) 1 0
Preparation Series 2021–2021 4 3 0 1 75.00% 181 45.25 115 87–10 vs Eastern Province Elephants (2021)45–12 vs Sharks (2021) 1 1
United Rugby Championship 2021–2024 61 38 0 23 62.30% 1932 31.67 1437 78–12 vs Zebre (2022–23) 47–14 vs Leinster (2023–24) 9 8
Pro14 Rainbow Cup 2021–2021 7 5 0 2 71.43% 191 27.29 152 43–9 vs Sharks (2021) 35–8 vs Benetton (2021) 1 0
European Rugby Champions Cup 2022–2024 11 6 0 5 54.55% 324 29.45 352 59–19 vs Lyon (2023–24) 59–22 vs Northampton Saints (2023–24) 2 1
Toyota Challenge 2022–2022 1 0 0 1 0.00% 14 14.00 17 14–17 vs Cheetahs (2022) 17–14 vs Cheetahs (2022) 0 0
Overall 1996–2024 425 215 11 199 50.59% 11446 26.93 11040 92–3 vs Reds (2007) 75–27 vs Crusaders (2000) 44 25

Other notable results:

DateOpponentLocationResultBulls scoreOpponent scoreNotes
1 February 2001Fiji Developmental sideFijiLost2735Report
3 February 2001FijiFijiWon3319Report
7 February 2001Fiji WarriorsFijiWon1914Report
31 January 2015Allianz Park, LondonWon3926Report
17 July 2021South Africa ACape Town Stadium, Cape TownWon1714Report

Bulls records

United Rugby Championship (Rainbow Cup), Heineken Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup and Super Rugby records

Individual Records

Individual RecordsUnited Rugby ChampionshipHeineken CupEPCR Challenge CupSuper Rugby
Most points388 by Chris SmithN/A1487 by Morné Steyn
Most triesN/A37 by Bryan Habana (2005–09) 2nd Akona Ndungane 33 tries (2005–14)
Most conversions92 by Chris SmithN/A245 by Morné Steyn
Most penalty kicks57 by Chris SmithN/A283 by Morné Steyn
Most drop goals1 by Chris Smithrecord not set N/A26 by Morné Steyn

Match Records

Match RecordsUnited Rugby ChampionshipHeineken CupEPCR Challenge CupSuper Rugby
Biggest victory.78–12 (v., 2023)59-19 (v., 2024) N/A92–3 (v. Queensland Reds, 2007)
Largest points for78 (v., 2023)59 (v., 2024) N/A92 (v. Queensland Reds, 2007)
Biggest defeat14–47 (v., 2024)22-59 (v., 2024) N/A9–73 (v ACT Brumbies, 1999)
Most points conceded47 (v., 2022), (v., 2024)59 (v., 2024) N/A75 (v Crusaders, 2000)
Most tries:11 (v., 2023)9 (v., 2024) N/A13 (v Queensland Reds, 2007)
Most tries conceded7 (v., 2024)9 (v., 2024) N/A11 (v, 2000)
Most points by a player23 by Johan Goosen (v. 2023)13 by Chris Smith (v., 2023) N/A35 by Morné Steyn (v, 2005, v 2010)
Most tries by a player3 (hat-trick) by Cornal Hendricks (v. Ospreys, 2022),Canan Moodie (v. 2023),David Kriel (v. 2023), Canan Moodie (v. 2024)2 tries on 5 occasions N/A3 by Adriaan Richter (v., 1997), Fourie du Preez (v., 2004), Wynand Olivier (v., 2011), Bjorn Basson (v., 2016), Warrick Gelant (v., 2017), Adriaan Strauss (v., 2018), Warrick Gelant (v., 2018), Rosko Specman (v., 2020)
Most conversions by a player10 by Johan Goosen (v. 2023)6 by Morné Steyn (v., 2022) N/A11 by Derick Hougaard (v. Queensland Reds, 2007)
Most penalties by a player5 by Morné Steyn (v. Sharks, 2021), Chris Smith (v. Cardiff 2021), Chris Smith (v. 2022)3 by Chris Smith (v., 2023), Chris Smith (v., 2023) N/A8 by Jannie de Beer (v., 1996), Derick Hougaard (v., 2007)
Most drop goals by a player1 by Chris Smith (v. 2022)record not set N/A4 by Morné Steyn (v., 2009)

Season Records

Season RecordsUnited Rugby ChampionshipHeineken CupEPCR Challenge CupSuper Rugby
Most points710 (2023–24)213 (2023–24) N/A500 (2010)
Most team tries92 (2023–24)28 (2023–24) N/A59 (2018)
Most team conversions70 (2023–24)23 (2023–24) N/A47 (2018)
Most team penalties36 (2023–24)9 (2023–24) N/A62 (2010)
Most team drop goals1 (2021–22)record not set N/A11 (2009)
Most points by a player167 by Johan Goosen (2023–24)N/A263 by Morné Steyn (2010 – Super Rugby record)
Most tries by a player12 by Akker van der Merwe (2023–24)3 by David Kriel, Marcell Coetzee, Embrose Papier, Sebastian de Klerk (2023–24) N/A11 by Bjorn Basson (2012)
Most conversions by a player45 by Johan Goosen (2023–24)16 by Johan Goosen (2023–24)N/A38 by Morné Steyn (2010)
Most penalty kicks by a player24 by Johan Goosen (2023–24)4 by Chris Smith (2022–23)&(2023–24) N/A51 Morné Steyn (2010 – Super Rugby Record)
Most drop goals by a player1 by Chris Smith (2021–22)record not set N/A11 by Morné Steyn (2009, Super Rugby Record)

Season Awards

United Rugby Championship

United Rugby Championship Team of the Year
The following Bulls players were selected in the URC team of the year.

Season Players
Johan Grobbelaar, Ruan Nortjé, Marcell Coetzee https://www.unitedrugby.com/latest/news/the-united-rugby-championship-dream-team-has-been-named
Kurt-Lee Arendse https://www.unitedrugby.com/latest/news/urc-awards-2022-23-elite-xv-has-been-named
Wilco Louw, Akker van der Merwe, Ruan Nortjé(2), Elrigh Louw, Cameron Hanekom, Kurt-Lee Arendse(2) https://www.unitedrugby.com/awards/2023-24

United Rugby Championship Golden Boot
The Golden Boot is awarded to the kicker who has successfully converted the highest percentage of place kicksTo be eligible, the player must have taken at least 20 kicks at goal.

Season Winner Percentage
90%
90%

United Rugby Championship Ironman of the Year
The award for having played the most minutes in the URC during the season.

All Time Records

Individual RecordsHeld by
Most points1708 by Morné Steyn (2005 – 2023)
Most tries37 by Bryan Habana (2005–2009)
Most conversions309 by Morné Steyn (2005 – 2023)
Most penalty kicks314 by Morné Steyn (2005 – 2023)
Most drop goals26 by Morné Steyn (2005 – 2023)

Play-off honours

Finals

Finalists
2007Won the Super Rugby final 20–19 against the Sharks 19 May 2007
2009Won the Super Rugby final 61–17 against the Chiefs30 May 2009
2010Won the Super Rugby final 25–17 against the Stormers29 May 2010
2021Lost the Pro14 Rainbow Cup final 8–35 against Benetton19 June 2021
2022Lost the United Rugby Championship final 13–18 against the Stormers18 June 2022
2024Lost the United Rugby Championship final 16–21 against the Glasgow22 June 2024

Semi-Finals

Semi-finalists
1996Lost Super Rugby semi-final 11–48 to Blues19 May 1996
2005Lost Super Rugby semi-final 13–23 to Waratahs21 May 2005
2006Lost Super Rugby semi-final 15–35 to Crusaders20 May 2006
2013Lost Super Rugby semi-final 23–26 to Brumbies27 July 2013

Quarter-Finals

Quarter-finalists
2012Lost Super Rugby quarter-final 13–28 to Crusaders21 July 2012
2019Lost Super Rugby quarter-final 28–35 to Hurricanes22 June 2019
2023Lost United Rugby Championship quarter-final 33–21 to Stormers 6 May 2023
2024Lost European Rugby Champions Cup quarter-final 59–22 to Northampton Saints13 April 2024

Trophies and Honours

Major International Honours as the Bulls

Major Honours in international competitions
CompetitionTitles wonRunner-upSemi-finalistsQuarter-finalistsQualifying-finalistsRound of 16

<

-- Competition Titles won Runner-up Semi-finalists Quarter-finalists Qualifying-finalists Round of 16 -->
Super Rugby

(0)
Super Rugby Conference trophy

(0) (0)
United Rugby Championship SA Shield

Pro14 Rainbow Cup (0) (1) 2021
Super Rugby Unlocked

(0)
(0) (0) (0)(1) 2023–24(1) 2022–23
EPCR Challenge Cup (0) (0) (0) (0) (0)

Major Domestic Honours as Blue Bulls / Blue Bulls XV / Northern Transvaal

Major Honours in domestic competitions
CompetitionTitles wonRunner-upSemi-finalists

<

-- Competition Titles won Runner-up Semi-finalists Quarter-finalists -->
Currie Cup

(25) 1946, 1956, 1968, 1969, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1987, 1988, 1991, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2009, 2020–21, 2021 (Title shared in 1971, 1979, 1989, 2006) (9) 1954, 1970, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1990, 2005, 2008, 2016 10
Currie Cup First Division

(1) 2000 (0) 0
Vodacom Cup

(3) 2001, 2008, 2010 (6) 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2009, 2011 4
(0) (0) 1
Lion Cup

(3) 1985, 1990, 1991 (3) 1987, 1988, 1989 -
Percy Frames Trophy

(6) 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991,1992 (1) 1994 -

Minor Honours

Minor honours
CompetitionNumber of titlesRunner-up<-- Competition Number of titles Runner-up -->
Gauteng Rugby Cup (1) 2013 (0)
Sanlam Challenge Shield (1) 2015 (0)
Lafarge Zimbabwe Champions Cup (0) (1) 2016
World Club 10s (2) 2017, 2018(0)
Officeconomix Goodwill Challenge (1) 2022 (0)
Toyota Challenge(0)(1) 2022
IBG Challenge Cup(1)2024(0)
Mapungubwe Rugby Cup(1)2024(0)

Season-by-season record

Bulls season standings and results
Competition Season Playoffs Season ResultConference/Shield Top points scorer Points Top try scorer Tries
Heineken Cup
2024–25N/AN/AN/A
2023–242nd Pool A4301132102+30315Lost quarter-final 22-59 vs Northampton Saints Quarter-finalists N/A41 3
2022–237th Pool A4202102139-37210Lost Round of 16 9-33 vs Toulouse Round of 16 N/A16 2
United Rugby Championship
2024–25N/AN/A
2023–242nd181305639433+2061466Lost final 16–21 to Glasgow. Runners up (2) Champions 1st 167 12
2022–236th181008613448+1651353Lost quarter-final 21–33 to Stormers Quarter-finalists Runners up (2) 129 8
2021–224th181107518388+1301458Lost final 13–18 to Stormers. Runners up (1) Runners up (1)153 11
Pro14 Rainbow Cup20211st6501183117+665 25 Lost final 35–8 to Benetton.Runners up N/A 53 4
Preparation Series20211st4301181115+663 15 No trophy or playoffs Top of pool A N/A 38 4
Super Rugby Unlocked20201st650117892+86323No playoffs Champions N/A 62 5
Super Rugby
202012th6105115152-3716Season cancelled due to COVID-19 4th 40 4
20195th16826410369+41341Lost quarterfinals 35–28 to the Hurricanes. Quarter-finalists Runners up (4) 194 5
201812th166010441502-612295th 144 8
201715th154011339459-1204203rd 80 5
20169th15915399339+60442Runners up (3) 109 6
20159th16709397388+910383rd 167 7
20149th16718365335+30838Runners up (2) 144 4
20132nd161204448330+118763Lost semi-final 23–26 to the Brumbies.Semi-Finalists Champions 1st 248 5
20125th161006472369+1031159Lost qualifiers 28–13 to the Crusaders.Qualifying-finalists Runners up (1) 228 10
20117th161006416370+466543rd 216 9
Super 1420101st131003436345+91747Defeated the Stormers 25–17 Champions 3rd N/A 263 8
20091st131003338271+67646Defeated the Chiefs 61–17 Champions 2nd N/A 191 8
200810th13607324347−23428N/A 80 7
20071st13904388223+165642Defeated the Sharks 19–20 Champions 1st N/A 161 8
20064th13715355290+65838Lost semi-final 35–15 to Crusaders. Semi-Finalists N/A 93 7
Super 12
20053rd11704301229+72634Lost semi-final 23–13 to Waratahs. Semi-Finalists N/A 110 9
20046th11515302320−18628N/A 101 5
20036th11605320354−34530N/A 139 5
200212th110011232500−26811N/A 29 5
200112th11209241378−137311N/A 97 4
200011th11128231395−164311N/A 123 3
199912th111010203447−24437N/A 59 2
199811th11308249306−57416N/A 65 5
19978th11335264342−78422N/A 50 4
19964th11803329208+121638Lost semi-final 48–11 to Auckland Blues. Semi-Finalists N/A 139 4
Super 10 (amateur era)1995Did not qualify N/A
1994Did not qualify N/A
19933rd4202109109008N/A
Gold background denotes champions
Silver background denotes runner-up
Bronze background denotes semi-finalists
Cyan background denotes quarter-finalists
Purple background denotes Round of 16

↑ After entering the Champions Cup/Heineken Cup competition from the EPCR Challenge Cup

↓ After dropping into the EPCR Challenge Cup competition from the Champions Cup/Heineken Cup

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Reuters. Rugby-Bulls blitz Reds 92–3 to earn home semi-final . 2007-05-05 . 2007-05-06.
  2. Web site: Jake White on 'sleeping giant' Bulls' title win: The Liverpool of rugby has awakened . News24 . 10 October 2021.
  3. Web site: White wanted Bulls to remain only SA Super Rugby winners . SA Rugby . 10 October 2021.
  4. Web site: Benetton 35-8 Bulls: Benetton stun Bulls to win Rainbow Cup . skysports . 10 October 2021.
  5. News: United Rugby Championship: Cardiff 19-29 Bulls . BBC Sport . 10 October 2021.
  6. Web site: SouthAfrica.info. Sports stadiums in South Africa. 2007-05-06. https://web.archive.org/web/20130103142958/http://www.southafrica.info/. 3 January 2013. dead.
  7. Web site: Vodacom Blue Bulls. Loftus Versfeld – History. 2007-05-06. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20071004213515/http://www.bluebull.co.za/default.asp?cId=6119&des=content. 4 October 2007.
  8. Web site: Mudeliar . Thumeshni . Marketing through sport . Journal of Marketing . 28 May 2024 . 2007.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Bulls (rugby union)".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.