Steyn boots Bulls to victory

Steyn boots Bulls to victory

24 Feb 2012

RYAN VREDE watched Morne Steyn score all the Bulls’ points in their 18-13 victory over the Sharks in a compelling match at Loftus.

Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer is a firm believer in Steyn’s match-winning ability with the boot and tonight he displayed his value in tight contests, his five penalties and a drop-goal starting the Bulls’ new era in the best possible manner.

The Bulls started poorly then morphed into their archetypically efficient self, with Steyn’s tactical kicking and goal kicking central to their success. The method is well known and predictable, but when it is executed with the efficiency it was in the second half the Bulls are nearly impossible to beat.

The Sharks, starved of possession, grew increasingly desperate, and that desperation manifested in their attacks becoming progressively more cavalier. One such move late in the piece dragged them back into the match, but the Bulls were resolute in defence under enormous pressure. The nature of this victory will be an important part of this young Bulls side’s education. For the 40 minutes when it counted they conjured the tactical intelligence and granitic spirit of the championship sides that have preceded them.

There was also an interesting sub-plot to emerge. The performances of youngsters Juandre Kruger, Francois Hougaard, Francois Venter, CJ Stander, JJ Engelbrecht, Pat Lambie, Marcell Coetzee and Anton Bresler suggested that South African rugby has a bright future.

The first half was a forgettable affair. There was always going to be energy, physicality and intensity but neither team managed to channel those things to their advantage on attack. A scoreless first half bore testament to this, with a string of fundamental handling errors (the majority committed by the Bulls) and ill-discipline robbing the contest of any flow.

Both sides struggled to control possession through multiple phases. Certainly some brutal defence contributed to their struggles in this regard, but that alone cannot mitigate this shortcoming given the calibre of players on show. They often went wide without earning the right to do so through purposeful phase play. A measure of pragmatism was lacking, with little appreciation shown for playing in the opposition’s territory and backing pressure defence to force errors.

This all changed for the Bulls in the second half and they systematically built a lead after forcing errors from the Sharks in kickable positions. The Sharks will lament three missed penalties, two of which you would have backed Lambie to bank. But overall they were outsmarted by a superior side on the night, with Steyn securing yet another famous Bulls win at Loftus.

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337 Comments

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  • 101.Mighty Horua: Reply to this comment
    24 Feb 2012, 20:09 pm

    THis the new Bulls style? Kakker than 2011!

  • 102.RL: Reply to this comment
    24 Feb 2012, 20:10 pm

    II didn’t mention Keegan Daniel yet – he is having his usual poor match. Forward passes – entering the ruck from the side – pretending to fetch – conceding penalties – not leading the team – running away from contact – etc …

  • 103.CAPECRUSADER: Reply to this comment
    24 Feb 2012, 20:10 pm

    penalty-prone greyling at it again.

  • 104.YoMama: Reply to this comment
    24 Feb 2012, 20:10 pm

    @YoMama(YoMama)-100:

    Now if only the players would up their game, too.

  • 105.CAPECRUSADER: Reply to this comment
    24 Feb 2012, 20:11 pm

    @Mighty Horua(Mighty Horua)-101: they say it will be the blueprint for bok rugby as well.

  • 106.Tartan: Reply to this comment
    24 Feb 2012, 20:12 pm

    @Guns(Guns)-97:
    Meet the “new” Bulls, same as the old Bulls.

    Oh well, least there’s points on the board.

  • 107.YoMama: Reply to this comment
    24 Feb 2012, 20:12 pm

    Din-dong smashfest….

    3-3

  • 108.CAPECRUSADER: Reply to this comment
    24 Feb 2012, 20:12 pm

    great work jpp.

  • 109.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    24 Feb 2012, 20:13 pm

    Skreeusnaaks!

  • 110.Mighty Horua: Reply to this comment
    24 Feb 2012, 20:13 pm

    Common SharkieVarkie!

  • 111.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    24 Feb 2012, 20:14 pm

    Haven’t laughed this much in yonks

  • 112.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    24 Feb 2012, 20:16 pm

    Lol! Bulls just stole lineout!

  • 113.Mighty Horua: Reply to this comment
    24 Feb 2012, 20:16 pm

    I say bring in Ludeke as Bok assistant as forward coach! and Pieter slapchippies as backline!

    Maak die hele bleddie land Blou!

  • 114.CAPECRUSADER: Reply to this comment
    24 Feb 2012, 20:17 pm

    stegman anonymous ….as usual.

  • 115.JockBok: Reply to this comment
    24 Feb 2012, 20:18 pm

    @Mighty Horua(Mighty Horua)-111:

    …..and pink.

  • 116.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    24 Feb 2012, 20:18 pm

    Wait till HG gets here dan sal julle almal kuk

  • 117.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    24 Feb 2012, 20:19 pm

    Howzit Jock!

  • 118.Canadianboertjie: Reply to this comment
    24 Feb 2012, 20:19 pm

    Go Bulle. Luister lekker op RSG hier uit ‘n koue kanada.

  • 119.fantasticbarnsmell: Reply to this comment
    24 Feb 2012, 20:20 pm

    woeful stuff from the Sharks

  • 120.Mighty Horua: Reply to this comment
    24 Feb 2012, 20:20 pm

    @JockBok(JockBok)-113:

    :lol:

  • 121.CAPECRUSADER: Reply to this comment
    24 Feb 2012, 20:21 pm

    kaplan beginning to frustrate the sharks now!bissy not a happy camper.

  • 122.Mighty Horua: Reply to this comment
    24 Feb 2012, 20:22 pm

    Pre-season final!

  • 123.CAPECRUSADER: Reply to this comment
    24 Feb 2012, 20:24 pm

    chillyboy off with an injury…..no surprise there.

  • 124.Tartan: Reply to this comment
    24 Feb 2012, 20:25 pm

    Steyn’s got his kicking boots back on.

  • 125.Mighty Horua: Reply to this comment
    24 Feb 2012, 20:25 pm

    Whatsup with Pierre Spies headbandage? Its not like he’s gonna get all rough on that Varkies

  • 126.YoMama: Reply to this comment
    24 Feb 2012, 20:25 pm

    Best part about today…Juandre Kruger

  • 127.YoMama: Reply to this comment
    24 Feb 2012, 20:26 pm

    Charl McCloed should either get a haircut or call himself Charlize. Long hair just makes him girly.

  • 128.Pot Blou Gevaar: Reply to this comment
    24 Feb 2012, 20:27 pm

    @YoMama(YoMama)-124:
    Truth!

  • 129.JockBok: Reply to this comment
    24 Feb 2012, 20:27 pm

    Evenin’ Dawn :)

  • 130.CAPECRUSADER: Reply to this comment
    24 Feb 2012, 20:27 pm

    brilliant kick lambie.sharks not out of it yet.

  • 131.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    24 Feb 2012, 20:28 pm

    They all look tanned or is it my tv

  • 132.Treehugger: Reply to this comment
    24 Feb 2012, 20:28 pm

    Sharks just giving points away, bad disapline, dissapointing play from them.

  • 133.Pot Blou Gevaar: Reply to this comment
    24 Feb 2012, 20:29 pm

    Venter also showing glimpses to keep Meisiekind on the bench.

  • 134.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    24 Feb 2012, 20:29 pm

    Charlize!!
    :lol:

  • 135.CAPECRUSADER: Reply to this comment
    24 Feb 2012, 20:29 pm

    spies floating around like a butterfly

  • 136.Hondo: Reply to this comment
    24 Feb 2012, 20:30 pm

    I put the Bulls to win by 12-15 margin, hope they won’t run away
    Father Altitude caught up with the Sharks, I’ll be surprised if they didn’t catch the Mid day flight to pretoria today

  • 137.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    24 Feb 2012, 20:30 pm

    Wazzup jock when are we playing this weekend?

  • 138.RL: Reply to this comment
    24 Feb 2012, 20:31 pm

    With 18 minutes to go and 9 points down – Plum throws in the towel sending Lambie to fullback and the inadequate Bosman comes in at flyhalf.

    How nice. :grin:

  • 139.YoMama: Reply to this comment
    24 Feb 2012, 20:33 pm

    Starting to fell like a rugby game.

  • 140.Dazzler: Reply to this comment
    24 Feb 2012, 20:34 pm

    So according to the “experts” here on keo this is the best SA has to offer. Interesting…

  • 141.YoMama: Reply to this comment
    24 Feb 2012, 20:35 pm

    @Dazzler(Dazzler)-140:

    No, no – Cheetahs play tomorrow.

  • 142.CAPECRUSADER: Reply to this comment
    24 Feb 2012, 20:35 pm

    blatant crossing ….kaplan!

  • 143.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    24 Feb 2012, 20:35 pm

    Would give anything for a try from anybody

  • 144.Guns: Reply to this comment
    24 Feb 2012, 20:36 pm

    Well done Skop n jag wins it for the bulls.

  • 145.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    24 Feb 2012, 20:37 pm

    YoMama you on point tonight

  • 146.Hondo: Reply to this comment
    24 Feb 2012, 20:38 pm

    @CAPECRUSADER(CAPECRUSADER)-121:
    ;)
    Surprise it is, he usually fakes 90% of his tackles and rucks,,,,

  • 147.Dazzler: Reply to this comment
    24 Feb 2012, 20:38 pm

    @YoMama(YoMama)-141:

    Haha… well according to the guys on these forums these 2 are SA’s only hope, Stormers are no hopers, Lions and Cheetahs relegation boys. Just by how garbage the Sharks and Bulls are, imagine how bad all our other teams are! (according, once again, to the experts who preside here)

  • 148.JockBok: Reply to this comment
    24 Feb 2012, 20:38 pm

    @Dawn(Dawn)-137:

    Ag, struggling with internet so badly these last few months. But otherwise, looking forward to tomorrow and see how the Stormpies go.

    Jocks on Sunday afternoon though. Going to give the frogs a PK of note.

    Oh yes, believe it is so.

  • 149.YoMama: Reply to this comment
    24 Feb 2012, 20:38 pm

    @Dawn(Dawn)-145:

    Just had lunch. It was awesome.

  • 150.Tartan: Reply to this comment
    24 Feb 2012, 20:39 pm

    A try!!

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