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Bulls player ratings vs Leinster | 2025 URC Final
By Ian Cameron at Croke Park, Dublin
Bulls player ratings: The Bulls failed to throw a punch in a one-sided 32-7 loss to Leinster in the URC final at Croke Park.
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In truth, Jake White’s men looked devoid of ideas in the face of a bludgeoning blitz defence and never seriously threatened to knock Leinster off their stride.
Here’s how the Bulls rated:
1. Jan-Hendrik Wessels – 5
Carried with his usual vigour and wasn’t bullied physically, but struggled to assert dominance at the set-piece, with Tom Clarkson more than matching him in the scrum.
2. Johan Grobbelaar – 5
A few poor lineout throws at crucial moments robbed the Bulls of a foothold in the game. Not his sharpest afternoon.
3. Wilco Louw – 5
The 144kg tighthead couldn’t impose himself in the scrum trenches as the Bulls would have hoped. An honest shift but far from destructive.
4. Cobus Wiese – 5.5
Was combative in contact but didn’t have it all his own way at lineout time. A failed HIA in the 35th minute cut his night short.
5. JF van Heerden – 6
Kept plugging away but Leinster’s defence swallowed him up time and again. Industrious but ultimately ineffective.
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6. Marco van Staden – 7
One of the few forwards who looked capable of punching through. Relished the heavier conditions and didn’t shy away from the arm-wrestle.
7. Ruan Nortje – 6
Reliable at the lineout and put in a big shift around the park, but lacked impact in broken play, getting crunched on occasion.
8. Marcell Coetzee – 5.5
Usually a force in big matches, but this time Leinster met fire with fire. Struggled to impose himself physically, even if he emptied the tank in the process.
9. Embrose Papier – 4.5
The slippery ball didn’t suit his style and his frustration was evident. A forgettable outing with a string of errors.
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10. Johan Goosen – 6
Kicked solidly in backfield exchanges, but couldn’t orchestrate much with Leinster suffocating every channel. A speculative cross-kick that was easily snuffed out before the break summed up his evening.
11. Sebastian de Klerk – 4
A knock-on in the second half earned mocking cheers from the Croke Park crowd. It wasn’t his only one. An error-strewn showing.
12. Harold Vorster – 3.5
Was fortunate to avoid more severe punishment after a scuffle involving Joe McCarthy and what looked like contact with the Irish lock’s eye area. Missed multiple tackles too.
13. David Kriel – 6
Had a few bright moments with ball in hand, beating defenders one-on-one, but like the rest of the backline, had limited involvement.
14. Canan Moodie – 5
Threatened in the air but saw precious little of the ball. Wasn’t given enough space to operate.
15. Willie le Roux – 6
Tried to lift the team under siege and kicked with accuracy, but Leinster gave him little room to influence the game.
REPLACEMENTS
16. Akker van der Merwe – 8
Injected much-needed energy and physicality off the bench. Got over for a well-taken try that briefly ignited hope.
17. Alulutho Tshakweni – 5
Held his own in the scrums and offered fresh legs, but couldn’t shift momentum, giving away a penalty.
18. Mornay Smith – 5
Brought power but struggled to disrupt Leinster’s dominance.
19. Jannes Kirsten – 6.5
Replaced Wiese and worked hard but couldn’t find a way to crack the Leinster defence.
20. Nizaam Carr – 6
Added some zip to the loose forwards but didn’t see enough possession to make a real difference.
21. Zak Burger – NA
Not on long enough to rate.
22. Keagan Johannes – 5
Limited time to make an impact.
23. Devon Williams – 5
Came on late and saw little of the ball.
