THEM ! Defending Super 14 champions, the Bulls are log leaders at the halfway mark of this years competition. The Loftus Versfeld based side are prone to the odd splutter as we've witnessed this season but many predict they're dynamic enough to scoop another title on May 29th.
1. BMT
The Bulls have big match temperament, period.
2. DYNAMIC
The Bulls are IMHO the most dynamic team in the Super 14. They've shown they're not bound to a single game plan and have switched it up midgame to win. A mark of a champion side.
3. CONFIDENCE
The Bulls ooze confidence and they've earned something more than a naive cocksure swagger by spluttering and winning while other teams have stuttered and lost. The disciplined self-belief the Bulls have is second to none and they've mentally etched their names onto this years trophy.
4. POINTS TO BOOT
The Bulls flyhalf, Morne Steyn is probably one of the best in the business. He's a Springbok points machine and when under the cosh he's the man the Bulls bank on to keep the scoreboard ticking. Penalties around 50m are routinely banked.
5. RETURN OF THE PHANTOM MENACE
Out for three months with an Achilles tendon injury, Bakkies Botha will return in April/May and you can be sure that the world champion combination of Botha/Matfield will spell havoc throughout the latter stages of the tournament.
6. FORTRESS LOFTUS
Beyond the physical challenges of playing at altitude, the Bulls have a fearsome record at home thanks to the 'Loftus Factor'. Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria is characterised by enough fanatical crowd support to regularly give each Bulls player a third leg. Loftus is a Bulls fortress, full stop.
7. BULLDOZER PIERRE SPIES
Bulls eightman Pierre Spies is slowingly gathering momentum much like the Bulls have done this season. The Springbok steam train-like supremo set the world alight with powerful unstoppable runs in the green and gold jersey and pundits reckon he's been saving his best for last.
8. THE FRANS LUDEKE FACTOR
The man who prefers to live in the shadow of lesser coaches isn't quick to claim credit for his work. Frans Ludeke is a champion coach and humbly underlined his steely focus on the trophy saying, 'We have had to prepare plans for all eventualities.' This year he's planned the Bulls route to defending their title in clinical fashion.
9. SCHEDULE
The Crusaders play the Bulls in Week 13. No-one doubts the class of the Super 14's most successful side but they've copped a harsh schedule this year and many predict this Week 13 game at Loftus Verfeld will be deciding moment. The Bulls at home ?
Armed with a home semi-final (and possibly) a home final, the Bulls are quite rightly unstoppable.
10. THE X-FACTOR
Once upon a time, the X-Factor didn't refer to a television show. The X-Factor could be defined as an unknown, unquantifiable factor that often gave competitors an edge. The Bulls have that X-Factor in 2010. Their win over the Hurricanes confirmed that. They're able to bounce back and win and every single time the old cliché 'the mark of a champion side' is rolled out, it's linked to the Bulls.
My ten reasons why the Bulls are validly unstopp-a-Bull. What do you think ?
