Bulls (rugby union)

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For other uses, see Bulls (disambiguation).

Bulls
File:Bulls Rugby Union logo.svg
UnionSA Rugby
Founded1938 (Northern Transvaal Rugby Union)
1997 (Bulls franchise)
LocationPretoria, South Africa
RegionGauteng
Ground(s)Loftus Versfeld Stadium (Capacity: 51,762)
Director of RugbyJake White
Coach(es)Jake White
Captain(s)Marcell Coetzee
Most capsMorné Steyn (144)
Top scorerMorné Steyn (1639)
Most triesBryan Habana (37)
League(s)United Rugby Championship
2021–22Runners-up
2nd South African Shield
(4th overall)
Team kit
2nd kit
Official website
bullsrugby.co.za

The Bulls, for sponsorship reasons known as the Vodacom Bulls, is a South African professional rugby union team based in Pretoria and 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 1998–2003. 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.

The Bulls playing the Western Force in Perth, Australia in 2006.

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.[1] 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, Francois 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 by 20 points to 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 side stepped 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 Bulls Cheerleaders

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

Bulletjie, the Blue Bulls mascot

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.

Current squad

For player movements before or during the 2022–23 season, see List of 2022–23 United Rugby Championship transfers § Bulls.

The Bulls squad for the 2022–23 United Rugby Championship is.[8][9]

Bulls United Rugby Championship squad

Props

Hookers

Locks

Loose forwards

Scrum-halves

Fly-halves

Centres

Wings

Fullbacks

(c) Denotes team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped, ST denotes a short-term signing.

Coaches

Captains

Statistics

Results per opposition in European competitions

The results for the Bulls vs different opponents in European competitions

URC, Rainbow Cup
Opposition Span Played Won Drawn Lost Win% Points for Average PF Points against Best score Worst score 40–49 points 50+ points
South Africa Lions 2021–2022 5 4 0 1 80.00% 141 28.20 81 34–10 (2021–22) 34–33 (2021) 0 0
South Africa Stormers 2021–2022 5 2 0 3 40.00% 107 21.40 110 31–27 (2021) 30–26 (2021–22) 0 0
South Africa Sharks 2021–2022 6 4 0 2 66.67% 185 30.83 144 43–9 (2021) 30–16 (2021–22) 2 0
Italy Benetton 2021–2022 3 2 0 1 66.67% 98 32.67 86 46–29 (2021–22) 35–8 (2021) Final 2 0
Ireland Leinster 2021–2022 2 1 0 1 50.00% 30 15.00 57 27–26 (2021–22) Semi-Final 31–3 (2021–22) 0 0
Ireland Connacht 2021–2022 2 1 0 1 50.00% 35 17.50 48 28–14 (2022–23) 34–7 (2021–22) 0 0
Wales Cardiff 2021–2021 1 1 0 0 100.00% 29 29.00 19 29–19 (2021–22) 19–29 (2021–22) 0 0
Scotland Edinburgh 2021–2022 2 1 0 1 50.00% 43 21.50 48 33–31 (2022–23) 31–33 (2022–23) 0 0
Italy Zebre Parma 2022–2022 1 1 0 0 100.00% 45 45.00 7 45–7 (2021–22) 7–45 (2021–22) 1 0
Ireland Munster 2022–2022 2 1 0 1 50.00% 46 23.00 55 29–24 (2021–22) 31–17 (2021–22) 0 0
Wales Scarlets 2022–2022 1 1 0 0 100.00% 57 57.00 12 57–12 (2021–22) 12–57 (2021–22) 0 1
Wales Dragons 2022–2022 1 1 0 0 100.00% 55 55.00 20 55–20 (2021–22) 20–55 (2021–22) 0 1
Ireland Ulster 2022–2022 1 1 0 0 100.00% 34 34.00 16 34–16 (2021–22) 16–31 (2021–22) 0 0
Scotland Glasgow Warriors 2022–2022 2 1 0 1 50.00% 50 25.00 52 29–17 (2021–22) 35–21 (2021–22) 0 0
Wales Ospreys 2022–2022 2 2 0 0 100.00% 81 40.50 57 43–26 (2022–23) 31–38 (2021–22) 1 0
Overall 2021–2022 36 24 0 12 66.67 1036 28.78 812 57–12 vs Scarlets (2021–22) 35–8 vs Benetton (2021) 6 2
  • All these stats include playoff matches (qualifiers, semi-finals and finals)
  • United Rugby Championship fixtures added 2021–22 - 2022–23
  • 2021 Pro14 Rainbow Cup included.
  • Correct as of 26 November 2022

Overall Results per opposition 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
Opposition Span Played Won Drawn Lost Win% Points for Average PF Points against Best score Worst score 40–49 points 50+ points
South Africa Sharks 1996–2022 41 25 3 13 60.98% 955 23.29 888 43–9 (2021) Rainbow Cup 45–12 (2021) Preparation Series 5 0
Australia Waratahs 1996–2019 22 12 0 10 54.55% 506 23.00 609 48–38 (2010) Super Rugby 53–7 (2001) Super Rugby 1 0
New Zealand Highlanders 1996–2020 23 7 2 14 30.43% 568 24.70 644 59–29 (1996) Super Rugby 65–23 (1999) Super Rugby 2 2
Australia Reds 1996–2020 23 10 0 13 43.48% 614 26.70 521 92–3 (2007) Super Rugby 48–12 (2002) Super Rugby 2 2
New Zealand Crusaders 1996–2019 27 10 0 17 37.04% 626 23.19 909 40–35 (2010) Super Rugby 75–27 (2000) Super Rugby 1 0
New Zealand Blues 1996–2020 23 7 2 14 30.43% 588 25.57 759 59–26 (2009) Super Rugby 65–24 (2002) Super Rugby 2 1
New Zealand Chiefs 1996–2019 23 8 2 13 34.78% 636 27.65 745 61–17 (2009) Super Rugby Final 53–24 (2002) Super Rugby 1 1
South Africa Lions 1996–2022 35 22 1 12 62.86% 1008 28.80 899 62–52 (2004) Super Rugby 57–24 (1999) Super Rugby 2 2
New Zealand Hurricanes 1996–2019 22 9 0 13 40.91% 567 25.77 602 48–14 (2013) Super Rugby 64–32 (1997) Super Rugby 4 0
Australia Brumbies 1996–2019 23 8 0 15 34.78% 568 24.70 672 50–32 (2010) Super Rugby 73–9 (1999) Super Rugby 1 1
South Africa Stormers 1996–2022 41 17 1 23 41.46% 943 23.00 888 75–14 (2005) Super Rugby 42–19 (1999) Super Rugby 3 1
South Africa Cheetahs 1997–2022 22 16 0 6 72.73% 669 30.41 496 60–20 (2008) Super Rugby 42–29 (2015) Super Rugby 2 3
Australia Force 2006–2016 10 6 0 4 60.00% 264 26.40 221 42–20 (2016) Super Rugby 30–27 (2007) Super Rugby 1 0
Australia Rebels 2011–2019 7 6 0 1 85.71% 253 36.14 125 47–10 (2011) Super Rugby 35–41 (2012) Super Rugby 4 0
South Africa Southern Kings 2013–2017 4 3 0 1 75.00% 150 37.50 55 48–18 (2013) Super Rugby 31–30 (2017) Super Rugby 1 0
Japan Sunwolves 2016–2018 5 3 0 2 60.00% 171 34.20 114 50–3 (2016) Super Rugby 42–37 (2018) Super Rugby 0 1
Argentina Jaguares 2016–2020 7 2 0 5 28.57% 160 22.86 218 43–34 (2018) Super Rugby 54–25 (2018) Super Rugby 1 0
South Africa Griquas 2020–2020 1 1 0 0 100.00% 30 30.00 23 30–23 (2020) Super Rugby Unlocked 23–30 (2020) Super Rugby Unlocked 0 0
South Africa Pumas 2020–2021 2 2 0 0 100.00% 69 34.50 36 48–31 (2020) Preparation Series 31–48 (2020) Preparation Series 1 0
South Africa Eastern Province Elephants 2021–2021 1 1 0 0 100.00% 87 87.00 10 87–10 (2021) Preparation Series 10–87 (2021) Preparation Series 0 1
Italy Benetton 2021–2022 3 2 0 1 66.67% 98 32.67 86 46–29 (2021–22) URC 35–8 (2021) Rainbow Cup Final 2 0
Ireland Leinster 2021–2022 2 1 0 1 50.00% 30 15.00 57 27–26 (2021–22) URC 31–3 (2021–22) URC 0 0
Ireland Connacht 2021–2022 2 1 0 1 50.00% 35 17.50 48 28–14 (2022–23) URC 34–7 (2021–22) URC 0 0
Wales Cardiff 2021–2021 1 1 0 0 100.00% 29 29.00 19 29–19 (2021–22) URC 19–29 (2021–22) URC 0 0
Scotland Edinburgh 2021–2022 2 1 0 1 50.00% 43 21.50 48 33–31 (2022–23) URC 31–33 (2022–23) URC 0 0
Italy Zebre Parma 2022–2022 1 1 0 0 100.00% 45 45.00 7 45–7 (2021–22) URC 7–45 (2021–22) URC 1 0
Ireland Munster 2022–2022 2 1 0 1 50.00% 46 23.00 55 29–24 (2021–22) URC 31–17 (2022–23) URC 0 0
Wales Scarlets 2022–2022 1 1 0 0 100.00% 57 57.00 12 57–12 (2021–22) URC 12–57 (2021–22) URC 0 1
Wales Dragons 2022–2022 1 1 0 0 100.00% 55 55.00 20 55–20 (2021–22) URC 20–55 (2021–22) URC 0 1
Ireland Ulster 2022–2022 1 1 0 0 100.00% 34 34.00 16 34–16 (2021–22) URC 16–34 (2021–22) URC 0 0
Scotland Glasgow Warriors 2022–2022 2 1 0 1 50.00% 50 25.00 52 29–17 (2021–22) URC 35–21 (2022–23) URC 0 0
Wales Ospreys 2022–2022 2 2 0 0 100.00% 81 40.50 57 43–26 (2022–23) URC 31–38 (2021–22) URC 1 0
Super Rugby 1996–2020 335 157 11 167 46.87% 8626 25.75 8875 92–3 vs Reds (2007) 75–27 vs Crusaders (2000) 30 14
Super Rugby Unlocked 2021–2021 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 2021–2022 36 24 0 12 66.67% 1036 28.78 812 57–12 vs Scarlets (2021–22) 35–8 vs Benetton (2021) 6 2
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 1996–2022 382 189 11 182 49.48% 10035 26.27 9911 92–3 vs Reds (2007) 75–27 vs Crusaders (2000) 38 17

Other notable results:

Date Opponent Location Result Bulls Score Opponent score Notes
1 February 2001 Fiji Developmental side Fiji Lost 27 35 Report
3 February 2001 Fiji Fiji Won 33 19 Report
7 February 2001 Fiji Warriors Fiji Won 19 14 Report
31 January 2015 England Saracens Allianz Park, London Won 39 26 Report
17 July 2021 South Africa A Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town Won 17 14 Report

Bulls records

Super Rugby records

Individual Records Held by
Most appearances 140 by Victor Matfield (2001–11) (2014–15)
Most consecutive appearances 99 by Pedrie Wannenburg (19 April 2003 – 31 May 2010)
Oldest player 37 years, 7 months, and 17 days. by Victor Matfield (27 December 2014)
Most points 1467 by Morné Steyn (2005 – 30 July 2013 – 124 games)
Most tries 37 by Bryan Habana (2005–09) 2nd Akona Ndungane 33 tries (2005–14)
Most conversions 234 by Morné Steyn (2005–2013 – 119 games)
Most penalty kicks 263 by Morné Steyn (2005–2013 – 119 games)
Most drop goals 25 by Morné Steyn (2005–13, 119 games)
Most appearances as captain 60 by Victor Matfield (2004–11)
Match Records Held by
Biggest victory and the biggest home victory. 92–3 (v. Queensland Reds, 2007)
Largest points for 92 (v Queensland Reds, 2007)
Biggest defeat 9–73 (v ACT Brumbies, 1999)
Most points conceded 75 (v Crusaders, 2000)
Most tries: 13 (v Queensland Reds, 2007)
Most tries conceded 11 (v Crusaders, 2000)
Most points by a player 35 by Morné Steyn (v Stormers, 2005, v Brumbies 2010)
Most tries by a player 3 by Fourie du Preez (v Cats, 2004)
Most conversions by a player 11 by Derick Hougaard (v Queensland Reds, 2007)
Most penalties by a player 8 by Jannie de Beer (versus Highlanders, 1996, then Northern Transvaal)
8 by Derick Hougaard (versus Crusaders, 2007)
Most drop goals by a player 4 by Morné Steyn (v Crusaders, 2009)
Winning streaks Held by
Most consecutive victories 12 (25 April 2009 – 27 March 2010)
Most consecutive home victories 20 (19 April 2008 – 5 March 2011)
Season Records Held by
Most points 500 (2010)
Most points by a player 263 by Morné Steyn (2010 – Super Rugby record)
Most team tries 51 (2010)
Most tries by a player 11 by Bjorn Basson (2012)
Most conversions by a player 38 by Morné Steyn (2010)
Most penalty kicks by a player 51 Morné Steyn (2010 – Super Rugby Record)
Most drop goals by a player 11 by Morné Steyn (2009, Super Rugby Record)

United Rugby Championship records

Individual Records Held by
Most points 262 by Chris Smith (2021 – present)
Most tries 16 by Marcell Coetzee (2021 – present)
Most conversions 61 by Chris Smith (2021 – present)
Most penalty kicks 39 by Chris Smith (2021 – present)
Most drop goals 1 by Chris Smith (2021 – present)
Match Records Held by
Biggest victory. 57–12 (v. Scarlets, 2022)
Largest points for 57 (v. Scarlets, 2022)
Biggest defeat 3–31 (v. Leinster, 2021)
Most points conceded 35 (v. Benetton, 2021), 35 (v. Glasgow, 2022-23)
Most tries: 9 (v. Scarlets, 2022)
Most tries conceded 5 (v. Benetton, 2021), 5 (v. Connacht, 2021), 5 (v. Glasgow, 2022-23)
Most points by a player 20 by Chris Smith (v. Sharks 2022-23)
Most tries by a player 3 (hat-trick) by Cornal Hendricks (v. Ospreys, 2021-22)
Most conversions by a player 6 by Chris Smith (v. Zebre Parma, 2022)
Most penalties by a player 5 by Morné Steyn (v. Sharks, 2021), Chris Smith (v. Cardiff 2021–22), Chris Smith (v. Munster 2021–22)
Most drop goals by a player 1 by Chris Smith (v. Sharks 2021–22)
Winning Streaks Held by
Most consecutive victories 5 (25 February 2022 – 9 April 2022 & 23 April 2022 - 10 June 2022)
Season Records Held by
Most points 588 (2021–22)
Most team tries 74 (2021–22)
Most team conversions 60 (2021–22)
Most team penalties 31 (2021–22)
Most team drop goals 1 (2021–22)
Most points by a player 153 by Chris Smith (2021–22)
Most tries by a player 11 by Marcell Coetzee (2021–22)
Most conversions by a player 38 by Chris Smith (2021–22)
Most penalty kicks by a player 23 by Chris Smith (2021–22)
Most drop goals by a player 1 by Chris Smith (2021–22)

All Time Records

Individual Records Held by
Most points 1675 by Morné Steyn (2005 – present)
Most tries 37 by Bryan Habana (2005 – 2009)
Most conversions 294 by Morné Steyn (2005 – present)
Most penalty kicks 313 by Morné Steyn (2005 – present)
Most drop goals 26 by Morné Steyn (2005 – present)
Penalty tries 9 (5 points) 6 (7 points)

Play-off honours

Finals

Season Result Date
2007 Won the final 20 – 19 against the Sharks 19 May 2007
2009 Won the final 61 – 17 against the Chiefs 30 May 2009
2010 Won the final 25 – 17 against the Stormers 29 May 2010
2021 Lost the final 8 – 35 against Benetton 19 June 2021
2022 Lost the final 13 – 18 against the Stormers 18 June 2022

Semi Finals

Season Result Date Notes
1996 Lost 11 – 48 to Blues 19 May 1996
2005 Lost 13 – 23 to Waratahs 21 May 2005
2006 Lost 15 – 35 to Crusaders 20 May 2006
2013 Lost 23 – 26 to Brumbies 27 July 2013 South African conference winners

Quarter Finals

Season Result Date
2012 Lost 13 – 28 to Crusaders 21 July 2012
2019 Lost 28 – 35 to Hurricanes 22 June 2019

Trophies and Honours

  • Team of the Year for the 2010 season [1]
  • Team of the Year for the 2020 season [2]

Major Honours

Major Honours
Competition No of titles Runner-up Semi-finalists Quarter-finalists Qualifying-finalists
Super Rugby (3) 2007, 2009, 2010 (0) (4) 1996, 2005, 2006, 2013 (1) 2019 (1) 2012
Super Rugby Conference trophy (1) 2013 (3) 2012, 2014, 2019
United Rugby Championship (0) (1) 2021–22 (0) (0) (0)
United Rugby Championship SA Shield (0) (1) 2021–22
Pro14 Rainbow Cup (0) (1) 2021
Super Rugby Unlocked (1) 2020 (0)

Minor Honours

Minor Honours
Competition No 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

Season-by-Season Standings

Bulls season standings and results
Competition Season Pos P W D L PF PA PD BP Pts Playoffs Season Result Conference/Shield Top points scorer Points Top try scorer Tries
European Rugby Champions Cup
2022–23 N/A
United Rugby Championship
2022–23 N/A
2021–22 4th 18 11 0 7 518 388 +130 14 58 Lost Final 13-18 to Stormers. Runners up 🥈 2nd - Runners up Chris Smith 153 Marcell Coetzee 11
Pro14 Rainbow Cup 2021 1st 6 5 0 1 183 117 +66 5 25 Lost Final 35–8 to Benetton. Runners up 🥈 N/A Morné Steyn 53 Madosh Tambwe 4
Preparation Series 2021 1st 4 3 0 1 181 115 +66 3 15 No trophy or playoffs Top of pool A N/A Chris Smith 38 Joe van Zyl 4
Super Rugby Unlocked 2020 1st 6 5 0 1 178 92 +86 3 23 No playoffs 1st - Champions 🏆 N/A Morné Steyn 62 Stedman Gans 5
Super Rugby
2020 12th 6 1 0 5 115 152 -37 1 6 Season cancelled due to Covid-19 4th Morné Steyn 40 Rosko Specman 4
2019 5th 16 8 2 6 410 369 +41 3 41 Lost Quarterfinals 35–28 to the Hurricanes. Quarter-finalists 2nd - Runners up Handré Pollard 194 Cornal Hendricks, Rosko Specman, Hanro Liebenberg 5
2018 12th 16 6 0 10 441 502 -61 2 29 5th Handré Pollard 144 Jesse Kriel 8
2017 15th 15 4 0 11 339 459 -120 4 20 3rd Tian Schoeman 80 Jesse Kriel 5
2016 9th 15 9 1 5 399 339 +60 4 42 4th Francois Brummer 109 Adriaan Strauss, Travis Ismaiel 6
2015 9th 16 7 0 9 397 388 +9 10 38 3rd Handré Pollard 167 Francois Hougaard 7
2014 9th 16 7 1 8 365 335 +30 8 38 2nd - Runners up Jacques-Louis Potgieter 144 Jono Ross 4
2013 2nd 16 12 0 4 448 330 +118 7 63 Lost Semi-Final 23–26 to the Brumbies. Semi-Finalists 1st - Champions 🏆 Morné Steyn 248 Jano Vermaak 5
2012 5th 16 10 0 6 472 369 +103 11 59 Lost Qualifiers 28–13 to the Crusaders. Qualifying-finalists 2nd - Runners up Morné Steyn 228 Bjorn Basson 10
2011 7th 16 10 0 6 416 370 +46 6 54 3rd Morné Steyn 216 Bjorn Basson 9
Super 14 2010 1st 13 10 0 3 436 345 +91 7 47 Defeated the Stormers 25–17 Champions 🏆 N/A Morné Steyn 263 Gerhard van den Heever 8
2009 1st 13 10 0 3 338 271 +67 6 46 Defeated the Chiefs 61–17 Champions 🏆 N/A Morné Steyn 191 Bryan Habana 8
2008 10th 13 6 0 7 324 347 −23 4 28 N/A Morné Steyn 80 Akona Ndungane 7
2007 1st 13 9 0 4 388 223 +165 6 42 Defeated the Sharks 19–20 Champions 🏆 N/A Derick Hougaard 161 Bryan Habana 8
2006 4th 13 7 1 5 355 290 +65 8 38 Lost Semi-Final 35–15 to Crusaders. Semi-Finalists N/A Derick Hougaard 93 Bryan Habana 7
Super 12
2005 3rd 11 7 0 4 301 229 +72 6 34 Lost Semi-Final 23–13 to Waratahs . Semi-Finalists N/A Morne Steyn 110 Bryan Habana 9
2004 6th 11 5 1 5 302 320 −18 6 28 N/A Derick Hougaard 101 Fourie du Preez 5
2003 6th 11 6 0 5 320 354 −34 5 30 N/A Louis Koen 139 Frikkie Welsh 5
2002 12th 11 0 0 11 232 500 −268 1 1 N/A Boeta Wessels 29 Adrian Jacobs, Wylie Human 5
2001 12th 11 2 0 9 241 378 −137 3 11 N/A Casper Steyn 97 Frikkie Welsh, Friedrich Lombard, Adrian Jacobs 4
2000 11th 11 1 2 8 231 395 −164 3 11 N/A Jannie de Beer 123 Deon de Kock 3
1999 12th 11 1 0 10 203 447 −244 3 7 N/A Franco Smith 59 Jan-Harm van Wyk, Schutte Bekker, Pierre Ribbens 2
1998 11th 11 3 0 8 249 306 −57 4 16 N/A Franco Smith 65 Casper Steyn 5
1997 8th 11 3 3 5 264 342 −78 4 22 N/A Casper Steyn 50 Jacques Olivier 4
1996 4th 11 8 0 3 329 208 +121 6 38 Lost Semi-Final 48–11 to Auckland Blues. Semi-Finalists N/A Jannie Kruger 139 Adriaan Richter 4
Super 10 (amateur era) 1995 Did not Qualify N/A
1994 Did not Qualify N/A
1993 3rd 4 2 0 2 109 109 0 0 8 N/A
Key: Super 10 Super 12 Super 14 Super Rugby Super Rugby Unlocked Preparation Series Pro 14 Rainbow Cup United Rugby Championship European Rugby Champions Cup

References

  1. ^ a b "Rugby-Bulls blitz Reds 92–3 to earn home semi-final". Reuters. 5 May 2007. Retrieved 6 May 2007.
  2. ^ "Jake White on 'sleeping giant' Bulls' title win: The Liverpool of rugby has awakened". News24. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
  3. ^ "White wanted Bulls to remain only SA Super Rugby winners". SA Rugby. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
  4. ^ "Benetton 35-8 Bulls: Benetton stun Bulls to win Rainbow Cup". skysports. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
  5. ^ "United Rugby Championship: Cardiff 19-29 Bulls". BBC. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
  6. ^ "Sports stadiums in South Africa". SouthAfrica.info. Archived from the original on 3 January 2013. Retrieved 6 May 2007.
  7. ^ "Loftus Versfeld – History". Vodacom Blue Bulls. Archived from the original on 4 October 2007. Retrieved 6 May 2007.
  8. ^ "Vodacom Bulls". SA Rugby. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  9. ^ "Vodacom Bulls 2022–2023". Bulls. Retrieved 9 October 2022.

External links

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Preceded by Super 14 Champions
2007 (first title) 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Super 14 Champions
2009 		Succeeded by
2010 – Bulls
Preceded by
2009 – Bulls
 Super 14 Champions
2010 		Succeeded by
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