Jake White and Ruan Nortje say the Vodacom Bulls got their just rewards in a six-tries-to-zero win over Cardiff in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship on Saturday.
Flyhalf Johan Goosen starred with 16 points against Cardiff as the Bulls made it four wins on the trot in the URC with a bonus-point 45-9 victory in Pretoria.
Leading 17-9 at half time, the Bulls were initially guilty of forcing the issue, as 50-50 passes cost them possession in contact, before turning to their forwards to lay the platform for the backs to shine at Loftus Versfeld.
“I thought they started really well and Cardiff are a good side, they’ve beaten the Stormers and the Sharks. They attacked our breakdown heavily in the first half, and we couldn’t get any rhythm,” Bull coach White said post match.
ICYMI – Goosen soars as Bulls crush Cardiff
“The message was in the second half to stay up longer in the contact, make sure you buy some yards and don’t go to ground too early, and we got the rewards in the second half.
“It’s obviously a pleasing result to win with six tries and not concede one. There’s a lot of positives we can take out of that.”
Skipper Nortje, who crashed over for the bonus-point try at the close of the third quarter, added: “We knew Cardiff was going to come [at us], that first half was just about keeping them out; I’m just proud of the boys.
“We worked so hard this week and we knew it was going to be a tough game, so we are very chuffed with the result.
“[Also] always good to get a try in front of your fans, the boys set it up and I could just convert.”
The Bulls will now turn their attention to their European Champions Cup debut at home to French Top 14 side Lyon next Saturday.
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Photo: Twitter/@Cardiff_Rugby