According to Jake, Bulls expected a halftime bollocking

Posted on December 08, 2020 by Ken

According to coach Jake White, the Bulls team expected a “bollocking” from him at halftime in their Currie Cup match against the Free State Cheetahs at Loftus Versfeld at the weekend, but a return to the basics saw them romp to a 40-13 victory in the second half.

The Bulls started the match well, racing into a 13-3 lead in the first quarter, but they then allowed the Cheetahs to dictate affairs and the visitors had pulled level at 13-13 at the break.

“Just before the game I think I gave them a bit of a scare when I told them a thunderstorm could stop the match so we needed to be in front at halftime. We were up 13-3 but then we started defending and waiting for halftime. I think the guys were a bit scared of the weather, they were a bit naïve and psychologically it’s part of the learning process.

“I think they expected a bollocking at halftime but I just said that we had had no ball but when we did have possession we created pressure in their half. I just told them to go back to what they had practised, to believe in it. And in the second half everything worked, we definitely got it right. It was very pleasing, very good rugby and the bench impact was very good too,” White said after the win.

White said his team continues to learn how to come out on top in different match situations.

“Last week we had to show massive character to win with 14 men against Western Province and this week we had to work really hard in the second half and go hard to the end to get the bonus point. Overcoming these sort of challenges are all building blocks, it goes in the memory bank and it’s another box ticked. There’s that understanding how to get it done and the direction.

“Trevor Nyakane is a World Cup winner, he comes on and all of a sudden we get a scrum penalty and that changes the whole game because the scrums are very important. Duane Vermeulen played well and spoke well to the team, he brings massive composure. Nizaam Carr also brought composure and Morne Steyn was good too, it’s very good to have him back in the system,” White said.

Tags: according, basics, bollocking, Bulls, but, coach, Currie Cup, expected, Free State Cheetahs, from, halftime, him, Jake White, Loftus Versfeld, return, romp, saw them, second half, victory
Category Rugby, Sport
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Thought of the Day

John 15:4 – “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.”

For those who believe in Christ, their greatest desire should be to grow into the likeness of His image.

But once the emotional fervour has cooled, what about your daily life? Do you reveal his indwelling Spirit through the sincerity of your motives, your honesty, unselfishness and love? You may speak of Christ living in you, but is that reflected in your actions and do you allow Him to find expression through your life?

We need to draw from the strength Christ puts at our disposal – the indwelling Spirit that overcomes our human weaknesses and inadequacy.

And remember we bear fruit, we cannot produce it.

My Springbok squad for Europe tour

Aphelele Fassi, Damian Willemse, Cheslin Kolbe, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Edwill van der Merwe, Jesse Kriel, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Andre Esterhuizen, Handre Pollard, Manie Libbok, Jaden Hendrikse, Morne van den Berg, Grant Williams, Jasper Wiese, Cameron Hanekom, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Elrigh Louw, Siya Kolisi, Kwagga Smith, Marco van Staden, Ruan Nortje, Franco Mostert, RG Snyman, Eben Etzebeth, Salmaan Moerat, Frans Malherbe, Vincent Koch, Wilco Louw, Ox Nche, Gerhard Steenekamp, Thomas du Toit, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Johan Grobbelaar.

Ken Borland