The Bulls ran in a 45-19 victory over Benetton at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, with Jeandre Rudolph once again emerging as the standout performer in a side packed with Test players.
Rudolph was rated nine out of ten, winning four turnovers and making 12 tackles — the game high — while also contributing in attack. The back-rower has now made a habit of outperforming his more decorated teammates, and Saturday was no exception.
Ruan Nortje ran him close for the man-of-the-match award, putting in a physically dominant shift that included sharp defensive athleticism on loose balls, consistent ball-carrying and expert lineout work. The Bulls captain was rated eight.
Sergeal Peterson scored a brace, with his second try arriving at a critical moment after the Bulls had put themselves under pressure. Embrose Papier backed up his Springbok alignment camp call-up with an eight-rated display, his delivery from the base giving the Bulls a reliable platform when they worked through the phases.
Canan Moodie opened brightly with a break that created Peterson's first score, while Harold Vorster continued his strong recent form with a physical midfield display that included a defensive turnover.
Handré Pollard controlled the game well in the opening half-hour but lost composure around the break, with his tendency to kick over the top giving Benetton a route back into the contest. He recovered in the final quarter. Cameron Hanekom produced a step down from his previous week's showing, though he contributed big carries and useful defensive moments.
The replacements — notably Marco van Staden, Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Mpilo Gumede — arrived during a difficult spell and helped lift the intensity that allowed the starters to reassert control through the closing 25 minutes.