Bulls player ratings: Handre Pollard’s ‘brilliance’ paired with ‘costly errors’ as Springboks replicate fine form before implosion

Following the Bulls’ 33-46 defeat to Union Bordeaux-Begles at Loftus Versfeld, here is how we rated Johan Ackermann’s charges in the Investec Champions Cup round one match.

Bulls player ratings

15 Willie le Roux: Smart hands to send Jeandre Rudolph over the line and competed well in the air. He does need to take some responsibility, along with Pollard, for not being able to dictate matters more. 6

14 Canan Moodie: One of the Bulls‘ best today as he replicated his form with the Springboks in the Blue jersey. He brilliantly skinned Romain Buros to score before half-time and caused Louis Bielle-Biarrey all kinds of issues under the high ball. He provided the spark the Bulls needed at times, but those around him often spoiled the chance. Also came up with a great try-saving intervention. 8

13 David Kriel: While Bordeaux didn’t completely capitalise on his sin-binning period, it did put the Bulls under the cosh at a pivotal moment in the game. Not his best outing overall, but not his worst either. 5

12 Harold Vorster: The Bulls’ defence was shambolic at times, with Vorster and Kriel surely shouldering much of the blame in not marshalling it well enough. The inside centre coughed up the ball after a Moodie break late on that led to a try that put things beyond the host’s reach. Some good moments in the first half, but like many of his teammates, his influence dwindled as the game progressed. 6

11 Sebastian de Klerk: A Springbok in waiting? It’s easy to see why Rassie Erasmus placed him on the standby list earlier this year. The only player to gain over 100 metres today, while also making 12 tackles – a tally only Coetzee bettered. Excellent in the air and came up with stunning breaks and runs that got the Bulls on the front foot. 8

10 Handre Pollard : A mixture of utter brilliance and sheer wastefulness and costly errors. He superbly put De Klerk over the line with sharp hands, but that came after his spectator defence for Damian Penaud’s try, along with his halfback partner. A spectacular offload sent the angry warthog cantering through to score. However, his yellow card was an unnecessary and costly error, as was his woeful cross-kick attempt inside the Bordeaux 22 in the second half. The visitors gained the ascendancy from both incidents. 5

9 Paul de Wet: Looks to be a good signing for the Bulls. The Bulls’ game unravelled when he went off. Came up with a brave turnover in the latter stages of his stint while he kicked well out of hand. All that after a woeful tackle attempt in the early knockings. 7

The forwards

8 Marcell Coetzee (c): The skipper seldom has a poor game, and today was not the exception. Top tackler for the Bulls, excellent on the gain-line and a pest over the ball. Effective and efficient. 7

7 Reinhardt Ludwig: Finished off his try-scoring opportunity well and was busy throughout his 72-minute shift before making way for Elrigh Louw. 6

6 Marco van Staden: Lasted just 14 minutes before having the full weight of Jefferson Poirot thunder into his shins. Can imagine that wasn’t a pleasant feeling. Tried to run it off, but eventually pulled off the pitch. 5

5 JF van Heerden: Put under pressure by Bordeaux’s aggressive lineout compete tactics and Van der Merwe’s poor throws, but in general, he rose to the occasion. Ran an excellent line off the shoulder of Tshakweni in the build-up to a try. 7

4 Cobus Wiese: He looked uncomfortable and heavily strapped when he trotted off the pitch in the 46th minute, which will be a concern for Ackermann and his staff. Wiese was up to his usual tricks, with effective and aggressive tackles and strong defence. 6

3 Mornay Smith: Honours were pretty much even at scrum time, with Smith keeping the experienced Poirot at bay at the set-piece and on occasion got the upper hand. His mobility around the park is underrated, highlighted by his crucial clean-up and drive in the build-up to Rudolph’s try. 7

2 Akker van der Merwe: Around the park, outstanding, but his lineout throws significantly impacted the Bulls’ launch plays. He ran a great line to score off Pollard’s excellent offload, and denied Penaud a try brilliantly. 6

1 Alulutho Tshakweni: Kept the dangerous Carlu Sadie quiet in the scrums, sent Van Heerden cantering away with soft hands and was busy on defence. Did his job and did it well. 7

Replacements: If we were just rating Jeandre Rudolph, the bench would get a nine as the back-rower was sublime after Van Staden’s injury. The returning Bok front rower trio of Johan Grobbelaar, Gerhard Steenekamp, and Wilco Louw did damage at scrum time. However, the Bulls fell apart in the latter stages as Ackermann denoted his Bomb Squad that imploded as Bordeaux ran away with the game. 4