Planet Rugby's player-by-player breakdown of the 36-7 Grand Final loss pulls no punches. Pollard — typically the man for the big occasion — gets a damning 3/10 after a handling error gifted Leinster the opener, a backfield mix-up with Moodie invited further pressure, and he inexplicably kicked dead from a scrum penalty at the end of the first half. Moodie (also 3/10) is equally skewered for a lazy intercept attempt that earned him a yellow card and a torrid defensive showing before his late try papered over the cracks. The systemic problem is flagged too — three different Boks binned for deliberate knock-ons across recent matches points to a defensive scheme issue rather than individual lapses. On the brighter side, Hanekom earns an 8/10 as the standout player on the park, single-handedly keeping Leinster from running riot in the first half, while Marcell Coetzee and Harold Vorster are singled out as the rare forwards and backs to actually front up. Nortje's departure to Japan is framed as a significant loss, with a strong suggestion he was robbed of a fitting farewell try by poor officiating — a theme that recurs for Vorster too.
Bulls rated: Pollard's horror final, Hanekom's heroics and a squad that flattered to deceive
A scathing player-by-player verdict on the Bulls' fourth URC Final loss — Pollard and Moodie are roasted, Hanekom earns rare praise, and the ratings raise pointed questions about a systemic defensive flaw running through the squad.
Klopper starts at tighthead as Bulls name experienced XV for Glasgow semifinal
Francois Klopper starts at tighthead ahead of Wilco Louw as the Bulls name 11 Springboks in their starting XV for Saturday's URC semifinal against Glasgow Warriors at Murrayfield, with Marcell Coetzee and Johan Grobbelaar both reaching personal milestones in the match.
Rudolph outshines Springbok-laden Bulls squad again as Nortje leads dominant Benetton demolition
The Bulls beat Benetton 45-19 at Loftus, with Jeandre Rudolph rated nine out of ten after winning four turnovers and making a game-high 12 tackles, again outshining his Springbok teammates. Ruan Nortje was close behind with a dominant all-round display, while Sergeal Peterson scored twice and Embrose Papier impressed on the back of his alignment camp call-up.
Springboks Through Irish Eyes: Gráinne Seoige on Loftus, Rassie, and Why SA Rugby Is Unlike Anything Else
Irish TV personality Gráinne Seoige tells the Lekker Rugby Pod that walking into Loftus for the 2024 Ireland test was the most intimidating rugby atmosphere she has ever experienced, and argues that Rassie Erasmus's cultural transformation of Springbok rugby is a bigger achievement than the World Cup wins.
White: Bulls are better equipped this time — here's why
White argues the Bulls are meaningfully stronger than the side he led to last year's final, citing the return of five Springboks and a year's extra maturity — while cautioning that Leinster still need to be beaten, not just outprepared.
So how deep is the Springbok squad?
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