The Bulls will take on the Hurricanes in the Super Rugby season opener for both sides. Join The Roar for live scores of the match, beginning at 2:15am (AEDT).
The Bulls and Hurricanes will both be entering the new season with high hopes and big ambitions.
The South African club will be aiming to make a finals appearance this season, after a dismal 2017. As for the Hurricanes, the team will be looking to avenge their 2017 semi-final loss to eventual runners-up, the Lions. The loss came after a superb 2017 regular season and sees them take favouritism into this match.
The Bulls were the only South African team to not play in Round 1, and will be hoping the extra preparation time helps as they stare down the mighty Hurricanes. As for the Hurricanes, they will be looking to make light of a team which didn’t appear to pose much of a challenge last year.
The Hurricanes head into the match heavily favoured and will be hoping to set off the season with a dominant display. A big upset for the Bulls, however, would see the team announce their early arrival as a team to watch this season.
Prediction
The Hurricanes are the clear favourites heading into this fixture, and will be viewing the match as a tune-up as they start their 2018 campaign. The Bulls won’t pose too much competition and, barring a huge upset, will begin the season on the losing end.
Hurricanes to win 27-10.
Join The Roar For live scores of the match between the Hurricanes and Bulls, beginning at 2:15am (AEDT).
Harry Jones
Expert
BB I agree w that but EE learned to be and is now key distributor in the pod Made many try assists and line break assists
Even Etzebeth has the same problem Pierre Spies had. Spies was devastating in open spaces due to his speed, and his body positioning with a high knee action at full pace did him an injustice when he had to attack in tight spaces. Etzebeth having played his rugby in the back line as a young player has the same problem, he has not adjusted his knee action nor his body positioning for tight spaces
Fionn
Guest
Yep, Eben's body height when he carries is way too high I think. I've actually noticed Lood making a lot of very good dominant tackles also. It'd be good if he and the Bulls find form this year. Good for the Boks, bad for the Wallabies... I envision a very painful RC coming up.
I cannot provide stats for you, it comes more from observation and the fact that Lood De Jager is a more balanced player considering he is a much better ball carrier than Eben
Fionn
Guest
Does Lood have a better workrate than Etzebeth? Interesting. I wasn't aware of that. Some of Lood's tackles are bone crunching though.
Pretty much yes, although I would like to see whether two number 5 locks can work together, Lood and Mostert together will be the hardest working lock pairing in world rugby
Fionn
Guest
So you'd play du Toit on the bench and start Mostert + Eben or Mostert + Lood? I agree with you on Mostert. He is the Joe Lauchbury of South Africa. Not the flashy lock that gets the attention, but his skills, workrate and intelligence (and his line out ability!) are all incredible.
Disagree about Lood being the 4th best lock. My opinion about SA locks have altered significantly since last year. Franco Mostert is the number 1 lock in SA today, his workrate, ball carrying ability and skills are second to none in SA. Lood is not far behind, even though he does look cumbersome at times. It is a shame they are both number 5 locks as they would be my first choice combo. Pieter Steph dun%oit is a very good impact player, I see a similar role for him as Danie Rossouw when Bakkies and Vicki were the first dhoice for the Springboks. As for Eben my opinion of him has changed a lot. He does not inspire as a captain, his brooding and introverted personality does not provide the right personality to inspire a team, he is an enormous physical specimen with superb skills at the line out, however his ball carrying ability is inferior to Lood, Pieter Steph and Franco.
Ivan
Guest
Watse kak rook jy ? He had a good game, as did RG, but Lood is maybe the 4th best lock in SA - after Eben, PSDT and Franco. Who themselves struggle to make a global top 5.
Loftus
Guest
Why don't you comment on Snyman's try that was not given?
Cadfael
Roar Guru
Looking at the video above, that was one poor decision.
rebel
Guest
Surely a third name change is warranted white the same comment.
Redsfan1
Guest
Always awesome when a Kiwi team loses.
Abc
Guest
Is this the start of the fall of NZ rugby...Love it when a kiwi team loses...
DavSA
Guest
Shot Machooka , just sad to see the stadium so empty . But ... I have faith ...the Bulls supporters ( easily the most passionate in SA ) were sick and tired of morons running their rugby and walked away , Trust me , even the next game they will start coming back.
Machooka
Roar Guru
I heard you DavSA... and I took the punt and back da Bulls! ;)
DavSA
Guest
Harry , Lood is today the finest lock forward on the planet.
DavSA
Guest
I called it here and will unashamedly claim bragging rights. ....But.....The Bulls are a seriously proud team. The last 3 years in particular would have hurt them more than many realize. Loftus was pretty empty today but do not despair . The faithful will return . John Mitchell you beauty.
DanFan
Guest
Well I can almost accept this loss but only because England lost as well. That cheered me up.
sean
Guest
Good game Bulls and congrats with that win although imo that TJ try should've stood.Still well played and Loftus looks set to become a fortress for you again under Mitch who knows hey!!!