Ruan Nortje says the Bulls have only themselves to blame for their current URC log position. Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
Penitent Bulls lock Ruan Nortje said the poor performance against the Stormers had resulted in a painful Monday review and that a major improvement in their accuracy is required for Friday night’s United Rugby Championship visit from Cardiff.
The surprise home loss to the Capetonians has left the Bulls stuck in eighth position with six rounds to go, and they cannot afford to drop Friday’s game against the Welsh side at Loftus Versfeld.
“We know we have only ourselves to blame for this situation we are in at the moment, so it is up to us to show that we can handle the pressure,” the Springbok said. “We feel we are more than capable of doing that.”
Nortje admits that this will be more easily said than done against a side three positions above them in the Top 8.
“We know that Cardiff are a quality side, they are fifth on the log for a reason,” Nortje said.
“They have good coaches, good systems in place, and good defence structures. We know we are going to have to be up for it and much better than we were last weekend.”
Nortje said the review of the Stormers match made it clear why the Bulls lost.
“The Stormers were so much more clinical than us. In those first 20 minutes, we had opportunity after opportunity, but we could not execute. The review was tough to watch.
“But when the Stormers got opportunities, they nailed it. They also got one over us in the kicking game — they were brilliant. They won the scraps 80% of the time.
"In today’s game, that is where much of the game lies. The Stormers were very good in that department.”