The Bulls' 34-26 win over Ulster at Loftus was built on forward dominance — Steenekamp, Grobbelaar and co. controlled the scrum, the lineout was a reliable attacking platform, and Coetzee's two first-half tries off driving mauls put the game in hand early. But the more interesting story is Pollard, who ran the show at 32 with a complete performance: incisive carries, a perfectly executed 50-22, a cut-out pass that nearly sprung De Klerk the length of the field, and a clean 11-point kicking return. Ulster's fightback — three second-half tries that cut the gap to five at one point — was real and deserved, with McCloskey outstanding and Augustus growing into the game strongly enough to stay on Rassie's radar. The piece also flags Louw and Jooste as relatively quiet, and highlights uncapped Bulls pair Giliomee and De Wet as players who caught the eye.
Pollard turns back the clock as Bulls grind past spirited Ulster
Pollard delivered a commanding all-round performance at 32 as the Bulls' forward power proved the decisive edge over a spirited Ulster side that made them sweat deep into the 79th minute — with Bok selection implications dissected throughout.
- Vodacom Bulls
- Loftus Versfeld
- Handré Pollard
- Faf de Klerk
- Rassie Erasmus
Papier relishes first Test start since 2018 alongside Pollard against Scotland
Embrose Papier makes his first Test start since 2018 alongside Handré Pollard as the Springboks host Scotland in the Nations Championship at Loftus on Saturday, with Rassie Erasmus citing Papier's strong URC season as the catalyst for his recall.
Pollard and Papier use Scotland test to silence critics and stake World Cup claims
Pollard and Papier both carry something to prove against Scotland — Pollard to silence social-media critics after a rocky URC stretch, Papier to cement a World Cup squad case after a six-year Springbok absence. The piece also notes Erasmus's record 55th cap as head coach and Scotland's cautious optimism with Russell back.
Papier ends eight-year Springbok absence with starting berth against Scotland
Embrose Papier starts at scrumhalf for the Springboks against Scotland on Saturday, winning his eighth cap eight years after his seventh, with Erasmus citing Papier's standout Bulls season and the absence or loss of form of rivals as the factors behind the recall.
Eight years, eight caps: Papier's long road back to the starting IX
Papier starts against Scotland eight years after his debut — Erasmus explains the wait came down to extraordinary depth at nine, not doubt about Papier's quality, while his nine-try Bulls season and the familiarity of the Pollard partnership ultimately sealed the call.
Erasmus explains Papier recall after eight-year Springbok absence
Rassie Erasmus has recalled Embrose Papier to the Springbok squad for Saturday's Nations Championship match against Scotland at Loftus, citing the scrumhalf's standout URC season with the Bulls. Papier will start alongside Handré Pollard, eight years after the pair last combined for the Boks against the same opponents at Murrayfield.