Planet Rugby's player ratings from the Bulls' 54-19 dismantling of Zebre at Loftus make for encouraging reading on several fronts. Cameron Hanekom earns the standout 9/10, rated comfortably the best carrier on the park in both tight and wide channels — the assessment that he's 'back to his best' after his injury layoff will be music to Springbok ears. Marco van Staden's shift at hooker also draws praise, with his set-piece work solid enough to free him up as the team's top tackler in the loose. Willie le Roux gets an 8 at fly-half, handling the makeshift role well on a platform the dominant Bulls pack made as easy as it gets. The one note of concern is Canan Moodie, whose rating reflects a wider pattern — brilliant in flashes, but an intercept that gifted Zebre a try and a questionable assist underscore why his inconsistency has become a talking point this season. Stedman Gans off the bench also draws a strong 8, described as 'utterly immense' after coming on.
Hanekom returns to form as Bulls demolish Zebre — full player ratings
Hanekom's 9/10 performance signals a timely return to form, while Moodie's mixed outing encapsulates his inconsistent season — Planet Rugby's full ratings from the Bulls' big Loftus win break down who's pushing for Bok relevance and who still has work to do.
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.
Leinster's 36-7 dismantling of the Bulls — who starred and who struggled
Cameron's match ratings break down who drove Leinster's dominant 36-7 Champions Cup win over a Springbok-heavy Bulls side — Keenan, Deegan and Prendergast top the list, while the Bulls' big names were largely shut out.
URC Final: The head-to-heads that will decide it in Dublin
Nacewa and Matfield break down the key URC Final battles: Le Roux vs Keenan at fullback, Papier vs Gibson-Park at nine, and Moodie's midfield test against a Leinster back line that ended the Bulls 32-7 twelve months ago.
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.