White hopes for Johannes as key catalyst

THE Bulls may have edged out Leinster with a post-hooter David Kriel penalty, but Jake White knows that his team are far from the finished product heading into the business end of the season.

- ASHFAK MOHAMED

There is a campaign-defining next month coming up, where the Bulls will have to juggle their resources across the United Rugby Championship and Challenge Cup.

They are clearly prioritising the URC, judging from their selections and the importance of winning their ‘league as opposed to a virtual knock-out competition like the Challenge Cup.

The Pretoria side are also virtually assured of Champions Cup rugby next season by finishing in the top eight, as they are currently third on the URC log with 45 points - one ahead of the Sharks, four behind Glasgow and 13 off leaders Leinster.

But they have won two and lost two in their last four games.

If they want to earn silverware over the next few months, they need to find their rhythm on attack once again, as well as sort out their discipline as they gave away a red and yellow card against Leinster, and conceded several penalties.

They were missing a number of back-line stalwarts such as Johan Goosen, Stedman Gans and Canan Moodie - not to mention the Japan-based Kurt-Lee Arendse - and hopefully all of those players will be in prime condition for the play-offs.