The Bulls overcame multiple late changes – the result of illness in the camp – trying conditions and a slew of errors to sneak a valuable 17-15 win over Benetton in a United Rugby Championship Round Six match in Treviso on Friday.
The win came in the final round before the November break and will ensure the Pretoria-based franchise is well-positioned in the play-off zone.
The Bulls were forced to make three changes just hours before their face-off against the Italian powerhouse, Benetton, after overnight illness struck the camp in Italy.
The changes saw Keagan Johannes moving from the bench to start at flyhalf, with Boeta Chamberlain among the casualties, including centre Stedman Gans and speedster Sebastian de Klerk.
Izak Burger was drafted into the matchday squad as a replacement scrumhalf.
Chris Barend Smit and Harold Vorster came onto the bench instead of Gans and de Klerk.
It eventually required a maul try by Akker van der Merwe in the 78th minute, converted by centre David Kriel, to secure the win.
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Despite dominating possession (60 percent) and territory (57 percent), the Bulls were undone by their poor form – 10 penalties and 15 turnovers.
However, Director of Rugby Jake White was ‘happy’ with the ‘W’ in the results column.
With Johan Goosen and Jaco van der Walt injured, Chamberlain’s illness could not have come at a worse time.
“I am not sure what it is,” he said of the illness, adding that the player required intravenous fluids.
“Three hours before kick-off we decided to go with Keagan [Johannes] at No.10. We had to change our bench, because he was covering No.9 and No.10.”
White said he was pleased with the way his team adapted to the hurdles placed in front of them.
(WATCH as Bulls Director of Rugby reacts to his team’s scrappy win in Treviso on Friday….)
“To get a result like that, the changeroom is very buoyant.
“Keagan is over the moon that he contributed as a starter at No.10.”
He added that he was ‘proud’ of his team’s effort.
“It was tough, but sometimes you have top win ugly,” the Bulls’ boss said.
He pointed out that Benetton also gave the Sharks a hard time in Treviso – winning 38-10 and keeping the South African visitors tryless until the 80th minute.
“They are a really good defensive team, with many internationals in their team.
“[However,] it is very pleasing, because we were ‘staring down the barrel’ for most of the game and then we found a way to win.
“When you find a way to win in a game like that, you can only be proud of the players.”
@rugby365com
