Bulls player ratings: ‘Explosive’ Springbok dominates but Glasgow capitalise on ‘out of depth’ playmaker

Following the Bulls’ 21-12 defeat to Glasgow Warriors, here is how we rated Johan Ackermann’s charges in the United Rugby Championship clash.

Bulls player ratings v Glasgow Warriors

15 Willie le Roux: His impacts were limited due to Glasgow’s suffocating possession and territorial dominance, but the veteran Springbok still managed moments of brilliance, including a well-taken try. He weaved his magic to set up Kurt-Lee Arendse for the disallowed score and was an improvement at fly-half in the latter stages. Not to mention his superb cover tackle. He might not be needed by the Springboks anymore, but he still adds massive value to the Bulls. 8

14 Sebastian de Klerk: It comes as no surprise that the in-form flyer has caught the eye of the Springboks selectors. He has blistering pace and links up so well with his fellow backs, popping up in positions that test the defence. He carved up the Glasgow defence to send Stravino Jacobs over for the Bulls’ first try and played a big role in his side’s much-improved defensive effort. 7

13 David Kriel: Moments of brilliance with the ball in hand, creating opportunities for those around him, but the Bulls didn’t have many attacking opportunities. Still, he did well enough on defence to limit the influence of Stafford McDowall and Sione Tuipulotu. 6

12 Harold Vorster: Limited impacts throughout the 73 minutes he was on the pitch after coming into the starting line-up following the withdrawal of Jan Serfontein. He certainly wasn’t helped by the performance of his number 10. He rarely has a poor game, but this was a quiet one. 5

11 Stravino Jacobs: He had positive impacts and made the most of his opportunity to score. He made some sharp defensive reads, too. Another whose involvements were limited by the lack of possession. 6

10 Keagan Johannes: Completely outplayed by Adam Hastings. Johannes is a classy scrum-half and can do the job at number 10 at a pinch, but he was out of his depth against Glasgow. His kicking was woeful, and so was his distribution. Ackermann must make other arrangements at fly-half if Johan Goosen and Handre Pollard are to be absent so regularly. 3

9 Embrose Papier: Deployed in the wider channels at times on defence, and it did the job particularly on one occasion when he hammered Kyle Rowe into touch. However, he did not sufficiently support the struggling Johannes and threw some woeful passes. 4

The forwards

8 Jeandre Rudolph: What a signing he has been for the Bulls. He was unfortunately forced off following a hefty collision with Matt Fagerson. Before his injury, the 31-year-old was brutally effective and abrasive, leading the charge for the pack in every facet of the game. 7

7 Reinhardt Ludwig: Racked up a mammoth 23 tackles, carried six times and was a regular feature at the breakdown. If he continues this form, he will be on the Springboks radar again very soon. Whether he is stationed at flank or lock, he is making telling contributions. 7

6 Marcell Coetzee: Matched his fellow flanker’s tackle count, topped the carry count for the Bulls with 10 and was his usual influential self on his return from injury. 7

5 Ruan Nortje (c): It’s hard to remember the last time he had a poor game or if he has ever had one. Back to skipper the side and back to usual antics with a ridiculous work-rate. Less influential than he would have liked, but one can never fault the manner in which he goes about his work. 6

4 Cobus Wiese: Flashes of brilliance outside of his usual graft and grit. Would have loved to have finished off a breakaway try after a fantastic break. 6

3 Mornay Smith: The tighthead prop was on the wrong end of the referee’s whistle for the first two scrums but quickly turned the tide and demolished Scotland international loosehead Jamie Bhatti. His scrum dominance was paired with a stupidly high 24 tackles. The tighthead stocks in South Africa are overflowing, and Smith isn’t registering on the radar yet, but his time may eventually come. 9

2 Johan Grobbelaar: The only fault in the recalled Springbok’s game was perhaps some soft moments on defence where he wasn’t quite as physical as he should have been. While that’s nit-picking, it was costly. His lineout was flawless, he played his role in a dominant scrum and topped the tackle count with 23. 8

1 Gerhard Steenekamp: Daan Human and Rassie Erasmus will be over the moon with the Springboks loosehead prop returning from injury in explosive fashion. He completely dominated both of Glasgow’s tightheads and made 17 tackles. 9

Replacements: Arendse was the only sub that Ackermann turned to early in the second half, and the Bok flyer certainly made a positive impact on his return from injury. Nama Xaba also had good moments, but overall, the replacements came on when Glasgow took control of the match, and they were unable to swing momentum. 5