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Bulls player ratings vs Munster | 2023/24 URC
By Ian Cameron
Bulls player ratings: The Bulls were shocked at Loftus by a Munster side that took advantage after a red card for flyhalf Johan Goosen reduced the home side to 14 men.
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Here’s how the Bulls players rated:
1. Gerhard Steenekamp – 6
Managed some solidity in scrums but lacked the usual impact in loose play against a tough Munster pack.
2. Johan Grobbelaar – 8
Pleasingly busy around the park, Grobbelaar kept the Munster pack on their toes with his all-action play. Deservedly got over the line with a powerful surge in the 50th minute.
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3. Wilco Louw – 5
The big tighthead showed moments of dominance in the scrum, but didn’t have it all his own way. A couple of fumbles but it’s hard to hold that against a prop.
4. Ruan Vermaak – 6
Started well but his physical intensity ebbed against a relentless Munster side.
5. JF van Heerden – 6
Played his part in the first-half dominance, but like Vermaak, was part of the Bulls pack that started to run out of steam in the second half.
6. Cameron Hanekom – 7
His gritty performance and relentless tackling were a highlight and had left the field before Goosen’s red and Munster’s revival.
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7. Reinhardt Ludwig – 6
His efforts at the breakdown were noteworthy, although he found it hard to turn over as much ball against Munster’s back row. A couple of uncharacteristic handling errors will irk.
8. Elrigh Louw – 8
Louw’s powerful runs and defensive work were central to the Bulls’ efforts, even in defeat. Must surely be on Rassie’s Springbok No.8 watchlist.
9. Embrose Papier – 6
Directed the game well with solid service and smart decision-making, keeping the Munster defence guessing on his 50th Bulls cap.
10. Johan Goosen – 5
Controlled the game’s tempo superbly with eye for a gap and generally strong game management. Against that, some questionable decisions on occasion blotted his copybook, not least trying to play the ball across his own line in the 33rd minute. A clumsy red card tackle attempt in the 53rd minute took the shine off what would have been an 8 out of 10 performance.
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11. Kurt-Lee Arendse – 7
Was incredibly busy in defence even if he had limited opportunities to show off his scintillating attacking abilities.
12. David Kriel – 7
Made a spectacular over-the-ruck dive for the line in the 44th minute and was a menace on both sides of the ball. Hard to fault.
13. Canan Moodie – 5
Kept quiet in attack in the first half thanks to Munster’s solid backline unit. His own defence was far from perfect, however. Burst into life in the second half, riding the tackle of Jack Crowley to dive over in the corner for what looked like a brilliant finish, although the try was ultimately disallowed for Goosen’s head-on-head tackle on Craig Casey.
14. Sebastian de Klerk – 6.5
Busy in attack before being clattered by Calvin Nash in a 50-50 ball and went off for a HIA. Returned in the second half and resumed his attacking menaces.
15. Willie Le Roux – 6
The veteran fullback ensured the Bulls were solid at the back. Some wonderful flat passing on show too. Took up kicking duties when Goosen was sent off.
REPLACEMENTS:
16. Akker van der Merwe – 5
Entered into a tough situation and struggled to make a positive impact against a surging Munster.
17. Simphiwe Matanzima – 5
Couldn’t provide the necessary boost in the scrum or open play.
18. Mornay Smith – 6
Contributed to a continued strong scrummaging effort and held his own in tight.
19. Janko Swanepoel – 5
Added fresh legs but couldn’t alter the course of the match under the sustained Munster attacks.
20. Celimpilo Gumede – 5
His presence at the breakdown was not enough to disrupt Munster’s control.
21. Zak Burger – 5
Entered under difficult circumstances and couldn’t spark the needed change in pace or direction.
22. Chris William Smith – 6
Played a part in maintaining the Bulls’ strategic kicking game late in the match, but it wasn’t enough.
23. Devon Williams – 5
Saw little of the ball and was unable to provide the needed breakthrough.
Jake White should spend less time moaning and more time coaching.
Why was the Bulls try not wiped out when the player was red carded? The player committed a foul which then resulted in a try and rightly he was sent off so why wasn’t the score adjusted?
Where are the numbers for Munster?