It’s hard to know where to begin. In the immediate aftermath of the Bulls’ crushing defeat to Leinster on Saturday, I had every intention of putting thoughts to paper. But frustration got the better of me. I was angry — and rightfully so. I knew that if I wrote then, I’d say things I might regret. So I gave it a day. I allowed the disappointment to settle. What remains now is not rage, but clarity.
And what is clear is this: the Bulls were outclassed, outfought, and out-thought — and their fans deserve better.
History Doesn’t Lie
In the build-up to the URC semi-final, Jake White made much of the challenge ahead, noting that the Bulls would be facing what was effectively the Irish national team. It felt, at the time, like the groundwork for an excuse. But excuses don’t hold up against history.
Rewind to 2022. The Bulls — with a squad that included a mix of developing talent and players who were arguably beyond their prime — marched into Dublin and stunned the very same Leinster side on their home turf. The core of that Leinster team is still intact. In fact, many of those players were already established internationals then, just as they are now.
So what changed?
The Bulls have since bolstered their squad, developed their young talent, and added experience. On paper, they are stronger now than they were in 2022. Yet on the field on Saturday, they looked lost. The difference? Leadership. Belief. Preparation. And accountability.
A Humbling Performance
Saturday’s loss wasn’t just a defeat — it was a humiliation. From the opening minutes, Leinster imposed themselves physically and tactically. The Bulls never looked like they belonged on the same pitch. And for fans who’ve followed this team through highs and lows, it was nothing short of painful to watch.
There comes a time when defeat can no longer be sugar-coated or explained away by circumstance. That time is now.
The Bulls have lost three finals in four seasons — two of them in the Republic and one of them on home turf. With the resources at their disposal and the squad they possess, that is unacceptable. This isn’t a team in a rebuilding phase. This is a team built to win — and currently failing to do so when it matters most.
Time for Accountability
Jake White has achieved a great deal in South African rugby, and his experience is undisputed. But the time has come for serious reflection. Are his tactics evolving with the game? Is he the leader this team needs in high-pressure situations? Is he willing to shoulder the blame instead of deflecting it?
In his column this weekend, Mark Keohane argued that Jake White’s time may be up. While I’m not yet fully convinced of that, I do believe time is running out. As Keohane rightly points out, only the Sharks rival the Bulls in terms of match-day talent on paper. And yet, week after week, season after season, the Bulls under-deliver when it counts.
Where to Next?
Change is needed. What that change looks like is a question for the boardroom — whether it’s a shift in coaching philosophy, leadership structure, or even a new voice in the locker room. But what’s clear is this: the current trajectory is unsustainable.
Bulls fans are some of the most passionate and loyal in the game. They turn up. They believe. They deserve a team — and a leadership structure — that delivers on its promise.
Jake White’s time may not yet be up, but the warning lights are flashing. Midnight is approaching. And unless something changes soon, this golden generation of Bulls talent may fade into yet another chapter of what might have been.