THE pain of player defections and injuries has been slightly eased for the Bulls with the news that the Cheetahs' new Springbok scrumhalf, Piet van Zyl, may be on his way to Loftus.
Van Zyl, who made his international debut during the recently completed Four Nations, is yet to conclude terms with the Bulls but it is understood he will leave the Cheetahs at the end of the season to fill the gap left by the Europe-bound Jano Vermaak.
Not that the Bulls seemed to miss Vermaak in their 48-18 drubbing of the Southern Kings on Saturday. Appreciably stronger in the set-piece and in the collisions, the Bulls quickly set themselves apart from the Kings, who appeared rusty following the three-week international break.
It didn't seem to afflict the Bulls, who had a healthy contingent involved in the international series.
"A lot was said about rust and [lack of] momentum but we just wanted to sort that out for ourselves and convince ourselves that it was not an issue," stressed Bulls captain Dewald Potgieter.
Injuries have recently ravaged the Bulls ranks but coach Frans Ludeke was delighted with the way his team responded. "There were some boots to be filled and some questions that needed answers. I thought the guys stepped up to the plate.
"There is still a long way to go but a lot of things are working for us. Next week we are playing a good side and it will be tougher competition," said Ludeke about their appointment with the Sharks.
The Kings, by contrast, struggled to match the intensity of their opponents. "In just about every aspect we didn't perform. There were lots of mistakes in the set-pieces and uncharacteristic defensive stuff," sighed coach Matt Sexton.
Kings director of rugby Alan Solomons also lamented the team's inactivity over the last three weeks: "Not having played for a month could have been a factor. If we played a game leading into this one it would have been too much.
"What you have to bear in mind is that we are playing two competitions at the same time. No other Super Rugby franchise does, that to my knowledge. No other team has played Currie Cup and Super Rugby at the same time. Our depth is being massively tested."
With his side now condemned to a promotion-relegation tussle with the Lions, Solomons has to plot his team's path carefully over the next fortnight. "I don't think we can change our side too dramatically," he said.
Van Zyl will bolster Bulls
THE pain of player defections and injuries has been slightly eased for the Bulls with the news that the Cheetahs' new Springbok scrumhalf, Piet van Zyl, may be on his way to Loftus.
Van Zyl, who made his international debut during the recently completed Four Nations, is yet to conclude terms with the Bulls but it is understood he will leave the Cheetahs at the end of the season to fill the gap left by the Europe-bound Jano Vermaak.
Not that the Bulls seemed to miss Vermaak in their 48-18 drubbing of the Southern Kings on Saturday. Appreciably stronger in the set-piece and in the collisions, the Bulls quickly set themselves apart from the Kings, who appeared rusty following the three-week international break.
It didn't seem to afflict the Bulls, who had a healthy contingent involved in the international series.
"A lot was said about rust and [lack of] momentum but we just wanted to sort that out for ourselves and convince ourselves that it was not an issue," stressed Bulls captain Dewald Potgieter.
Injuries have recently ravaged the Bulls ranks but coach Frans Ludeke was delighted with the way his team responded. "There were some boots to be filled and some questions that needed answers. I thought the guys stepped up to the plate.
"There is still a long way to go but a lot of things are working for us. Next week we are playing a good side and it will be tougher competition," said Ludeke about their appointment with the Sharks.
The Kings, by contrast, struggled to match the intensity of their opponents. "In just about every aspect we didn't perform. There were lots of mistakes in the set-pieces and uncharacteristic defensive stuff," sighed coach Matt Sexton.
Kings director of rugby Alan Solomons also lamented the team's inactivity over the last three weeks: "Not having played for a month could have been a factor. If we played a game leading into this one it would have been too much.
"What you have to bear in mind is that we are playing two competitions at the same time. No other Super Rugby franchise does, that to my knowledge. No other team has played Currie Cup and Super Rugby at the same time. Our depth is being massively tested."
With his side now condemned to a promotion-relegation tussle with the Lions, Solomons has to plot his team's path carefully over the next fortnight. "I don't think we can change our side too dramatically," he said.
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