Overview
- The Bulls trailed 21-0 after eight minutes at Loftus, and Johan Ackermann said chasing the scoreboard pushed players into forced, out‑of‑character decisions.
- Ackermann highlighted 30 missed tackles and 17 turnovers as unacceptable and warned that repeat offenders in defense risk being dropped.
- Seven tries in defeat yielded a bonus point that keeps a pathway to the Champions Cup playoffs alive only if they beat Pau in France next weekend.
- A loss in Pau would send the Bulls to the Challenge Cup round of 16 or end their European campaign, depending on permutations.
- Recent changes include the exits of assistants Chris Rossouw and Andries Bekker, Neil de Bruin’s arrival for the backs, added forwards oversight by Ackermann, and short‑term advisory input from Springbok staff including Felix Jones.