Bulls should invoke Springboks’ spirit

TUESDAY marked the 30th anniversary of the Springboks’ 1995 Rugby World Cup triumph.

- ASHFAK MOHAMED

Who could forget June 24, 1995, the epic final against the All Blacks at Ellis Park?

Since then, there has been a remarkable period of success for the Boks, with John Smit’s Class of 2007 conquering the world in France, and then Siya Kolisi’s band of warriors in 2019 in Japan and 2023 in France once more.

I was fortunate enough to be at the 2019 edition, and it was an unforgettable seven weeks reporting on the Springboks. The Boks’ trophy success, especially under Rassie Erasmus’ watch over the last few years, has been as impactful on the pitch as it has been off it. But it doesn’t mean that it was always smooth sailing.

In any sports environment — as in life - it won't always be hunky dory. That leads me to discuss the Bulls and the apparent ‘revolt’ taking place at Loftus Versfeld at the moment.

A Sunday news platform reported at the weekend that Bulls director of rugby, Jake White, is dealing with the fall-out from some of his senior players and assistant coaches, due to a supposed lack of communication and questionable treatment.

It reportedly all came to a head during the build-up to the recent United Rugby Championship final against Leinster in Dublin, where the Bulls lost 32-7.

White was critical about the lacklustre performance and once again repeated his familiar refrain of the Bulls not having as many top-class Test players as Leinster.