# 2018 Bulls (rugby union) season

In 2018, the Bulls participated in the 2018 Super Rugby competition, the 23rd edition of the competition since its inception in 1996. They were included in the South African Conference of the competition, along with the Jaguares, Lions, Sharks and Stormers.
The Bulls won six and lost ten of their matches during the regular season of the competition to finish bottom of the South African Conference, and in 12th place overall.

## Personnel
### Coaches and management

The Bulls coaching and management staff for the 2018 Super Rugby season were:
| 2018 Bulls coaches and management |
| Name | Title |
| John Mitchell | Head coach and defense coach |
| Hayden Groepes | Assistant coach (skills, attack and kicking) |
| Pote Human | Assistant coach (forward coach and lineouts) |
| Gary Botha | Assistant coach (forward coach and scrums) |
| Elias Bennett | Baggage and kit master |
| Dr Herman Rossouw | Team doctor |
| Lance Lemmetjies | Team physio |
| Pieter du Plessis | Team physio |
| Juandre Williams | Senior rehab specialist |
| Jacus Coetzee | Strength and conditioning coach |
| Ghafoer Luckan | Strength and conditioning coach |
| John William Meyer | Technical analyst |

### Squad

The following players were named in the Bulls squad for the 2018 Super Rugby season:
| 2018 Bulls squad |
| Player | Position/s | Date of birth (age) | Super Rugby | Super Rugby | Bulls | Bulls |
| Player | Position/s | Date of birth (age) | Apps | Pts | Apps | Pts |
| Shaun Adendorff | Flank | (1992-05-28)28 May 1992 (aged 25) | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Tim Agaba | Number eight | (1989-07-23)23 July 1989 (aged 28) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Matthys Basson | Prop | (1995-06-09)9 June 1995 (aged 22) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Thembelani Bholi | Loose forward | (1990-01-18)18 January 1990 (aged 28) | 16 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Marnitz Boshoff | Fly-half | (1989-01-11)11 January 1989 (aged 29) | 29 | 235 | 0 | 0 |
| Francois Brummer | Fly-half | (1989-05-17)17 May 1989 (aged 28) | 26 | 138 | 22 | 121 |
| Lood de Jager | Lock | (1992-12-17)17 December 1992 (aged 25) | 50 | 10 | 10 | 5 |
| Nick de Jager | Loose forward | (1990-02-07)7 February 1990 (aged 28) | 18 | 15 | 18 | 15 |
| Aston Fortuin | Lock | (1996-04-16)16 April 1996 (aged 21) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Warrick Gelant | Fullback / Centre | (1995-05-20)20 May 1995 (aged 22) | 19 | 25 | 19 | 25 |
| Lizo Gqoboka | Prop | (1990-03-24)24 March 1990 (aged 27) | 26 | 5 | 26 | 5 |
| Johan Grobbelaar | Hooker | (1997-12-30)30 December 1997 (aged 20) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Boeta Hamman | Fly-half | (1997-08-31)31 August 1997 (aged 20) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Travis Ismaiel | Wing | (1992-06-02)2 June 1992 (aged 25) | 28 | 40 | 28 | 40 |
| JT Jackson | Centre | (1996-07-10)10 July 1996 (aged 21) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jason Jenkins | Lock / Flank | (1995-12-02)2 December 1995 (aged 22) | 28 | 25 | 28 | 25 |
| Jannes Kirsten | Flank / Lock | (1993-12-01)1 December 1993 (aged 24) | 28 | 10 | 28 | 10 |
| Johnny Kôtze | Centre / Wing | (1993-01-24)24 January 1993 (aged 25) | 19 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Jesse Kriel | Centre | (1994-02-15)15 February 1994 (aged 24) | 45 | 35 | 45 | 35 |
| Manie Libbok | Fly-half | (1997-07-15)15 July 1997 (aged 20) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Hanro Liebenberg | Loose forward | (1995-10-10)10 October 1995 (aged 22) | 18 | 15 | 18 | 15 |
| Edgar Marutlulle | Hooker | (1987-12-20)20 December 1987 (aged 30) | 31 | 20 | 6 | 0 |
| Simphiwe Matanzima | Prop | (1997-08-18)18 August 1997 (aged 20) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Duncan Matthews | Wing | (1994-02-24)24 February 1994 (aged 23) | 4 | 15 | 4 | 15 |
| Nqoba Mxoli | Prop | (1992-05-28)28 May 1992 (aged 25) | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Ruan Nortjé | Lock | (1998-07-25)25 July 1998 (aged 19) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Trevor Nyakane | Prop | (1989-05-04)4 May 1989 (aged 28) | 81 | 15 | 39 | 0 |
| Burger Odendaal | Centre | (1993-04-15)15 April 1993 (aged 24) | 33 | 15 | 33 | 15 |
| Embrose Papier | Scrum-half | (1997-04-25)25 April 1997 (aged 20) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Handré Pollard | Fly-half / Centre | (1994-03-11)11 March 1994 (aged 23) | 31 | 293 | 31 | 293 |
| Divan Rossouw | Outside back | (1996-03-12)12 March 1996 (aged 21) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Pierre Schoeman | Prop | (1994-05-07)7 May 1994 (aged 23) | 24 | 10 | 24 | 10 |
| Roelof Smit | Flank | (1993-01-11)11 January 1993 (aged 25) | 13 | 5 | 13 | 5 |
| Mornay Smith | Prop | (1998-01-30)30 January 1998 (aged 20) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| RG Snyman | Lock | (1995-01-29)29 January 1995 (aged 23) | 25 | 10 | 25 | 10 |
| Hendré Stassen | Lock | (1997-12-29)29 December 1997 (aged 20) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ruan Steenkamp | Loose forward | (1993-02-02)2 February 1993 (aged 25) | 11 | 0 | 11 | 0 |
| Jade Stighling | Outside back | (1993-05-27)27 May 1993 (aged 24) | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Adriaan Strauss | Hooker | (1985-11-18)18 November 1985 (aged 32) | 143 | 70 | 46 | 30 |
| Dries Swanepoel | Centre | (1993-02-19)19 February 1993 (aged 24) | 9 | 10 | 9 | 10 |
| Jamba Ulengo | Wing | (1990-01-07)7 January 1990 (aged 28) | 20 | 35 | 20 | 35 |
| Ruben van Heerden | Lock | (1997-10-27)27 October 1997 (aged 20) | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Marco van Staden | Loose forward | (1995-08-25)25 August 1995 (aged 22) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Conraad van Vuuren | Prop | (1995-09-04)4 September 1995 (aged 22) | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Frans van Wyk | Prop | (1995-04-25)25 April 1995 (aged 22) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ivan van Zyl | Scrum-half | (1995-06-30)30 June 1995 (aged 22) | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Jaco Visagie | Hooker | (1992-07-08)8 July 1992 (aged 25) | 20 | 5 | 20 | 5 |
| André Warner | Scrum-half | (1993-09-02)2 September 1993 (aged 24) | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Note: Players' ages and statistics are correct as of 17 February 2018, the date of the opening round of the competition. |

## Standings

The final standings for the 2018 Super Rugby season were:
2018 Super Rugby: Overall standings :
| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TF | TA | TB | LB | Pts | Qualification |
| 1 | Crusaders | 16 | 14 | 0 | 2 | 542 | 295 | +247 | 77 | 39 | 7 | 0 | 63 | Conference leaders Qualified to the finals. |
| 2 | Lions | 16 | 9 | 0 | 7 | 519 | 435 | +84 | 77 | 55 | 6 | 4 | 46 | Conference leaders Qualified to the finals. |
| 3 | Waratahs | 16 | 9 | 1 | 6 | 557 | 445 | +112 | 74 | 59 | 4 | 2 | 44 | Conference leaders Qualified to the finals. |
| 4 | Hurricanes | 16 | 11 | 0 | 5 | 474 | 343 | +131 | 66 | 43 | 5 | 2 | 51 | Wildcard teams Qualified to finals. |
| 5 | Chiefs | 16 | 11 | 0 | 5 | 463 | 368 | +95 | 60 | 48 | 3 | 2 | 49 | Wildcard teams Qualified to finals. |
| 6 | Highlanders | 16 | 10 | 0 | 6 | 437 | 445 | −8 | 59 | 57 | 3 | 1 | 44 | Wildcard teams Qualified to finals. |
| 7 | Jaguares | 16 | 9 | 0 | 7 | 409 | 418 | −9 | 51 | 55 | 2 | 0 | 38 | Wildcard teams Qualified to finals. |
| 8 | Sharks | 16 | 7 | 1 | 8 | 437 | 442 | −5 | 49 | 57 | 2 | 4 | 36 | Wildcard teams Qualified to finals. |
| 9 | Rebels | 16 | 7 | 0 | 9 | 440 | 461 | −21 | 57 | 60 | 5 | 3 | 36 | |
| 10 | Brumbies | 16 | 7 | 0 | 9 | 393 | 422 | −29 | 56 | 52 | 2 | 4 | 34 | |
| 11 | Stormers | 16 | 6 | 0 | 10 | 390 | 423 | −33 | 46 | 56 | 0 | 5 | 29 | |
| 12 | Bulls | 16 | 6 | 0 | 10 | 441 | 502 | −61 | 59 | 66 | 2 | 3 | 29 | |
| 13 | Reds | 16 | 6 | 0 | 10 | 389 | 501 | −112 | 49 | 66 | 1 | 3 | 28 | |
| 14 | Blues | 16 | 4 | 0 | 12 | 378 | 509 | −131 | 50 | 66 | 2 | 4 | 22 | |
| 15 | Sunwolves | 16 | 3 | 0 | 13 | 404 | 664 | −260 | 48 | 99 | 0 | 2 | 14 | |
South African Conference :
| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TF | TA | TB | LB | Pts |
| 1 | Lions | 16 | 9 | 0 | 7 | 519 | 435 | +84 | 77 | 55 | 6 | 4 | 46 |
| 2 | Jaguares | 16 | 9 | 0 | 7 | 409 | 418 | −9 | 51 | 55 | 2 | 0 | 38 |
| 3 | Sharks | 16 | 7 | 1 | 8 | 437 | 442 | −5 | 49 | 57 | 2 | 4 | 36 |
| 4 | Stormers | 16 | 6 | 0 | 10 | 390 | 423 | −33 | 46 | 56 | 0 | 5 | 29 |
| 5 | Bulls | 16 | 6 | 0 | 10 | 441 | 502 | −61 | 59 | 66 | 2 | 3 | 29 |
* Competition rules
* Qualification: Eight teams will qualify to the finals, with their final positions in the overall log determining their seedings in the quarter-finals. The conference winners will be seeded #1 to #3 for the quarter-finals, in order of log points gained during the group stages, while the wildcards will be seeded as #4 to #8 in order of log points gained during the group stages. In the quarter-finals, the three conference winners and the highest-ranked wildcard team will host the first round of the finals, with the highest-seeded conference winner (Team #1) hosting the fifth-seeded wildcard entry (Team #8) in quarter-final 1, the second-seeded conference winner (Team #2) hosting the fourth-seeded wildcard entry (Team #7) in quarter-final 3, the third-seeded conference winner (Team #3) hosting the third-seeded wildcard entry (Team #6) in quarter-final 4 and the top-seeded wildcard entry (Team #4) hosting the second-seed wildcard entry (Team #5) in quarter-final 2. The Quarter Final winners will progress to the semi-finals, where the winners of quarter-finals 1 and 2 will play each other, as well as the winners of quarter-finals 3 and 4, each tie hosted by the higher-seeded team. The winner of the semi-finals will progress to the Final, again to be held at the venue of the highest-seeded team.
* Tournament points breakdown: * 4 tournament points for a win * 2 tournament points for a draw * 1 tournament bonus point for a loss by seven points or less * 1 tournament bonus point for scoring at least three tries more than the opponent in a match
* Classification: Teams standings are calculated as follows: * Conference leaders * Tournament points * Number of games won * Overall points difference * Number of tries scored * Overall try difference * Coin toss

### Round-by-round

The table below shows the Bulls' progression throughout the season. For each round, their cumulative points total is shown with the overall log position:
| Team | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | R7 | R8 | R9 | R10 | R11 | R12 | R13 | R14 | R15 | R16 | R17 | R18 | R19 | QF | SF | Final |
| Opposition | Bye | HUR | LIO | RED | CHI | CRU | STO | Bye | SHA | REB | HIG | STO | SHA | JAG | BRU | Bye | SUN | JAG | LIO | — | — | — |
| Cumulative Points | 0 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 9 | 9 | 14 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 29 | 29 | — | — | — |
| Position (overall) | 6th | 8th | 9th | 10th | 13th | 14th | 12th | 12th | 8th | 8th | 9th | 11th | 9th | 10th | 11th | 12th | 11th | 12th | 12th | — | — | — |
| Position (SA Conf.) | 4th | 3rd | 3rd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 4th | 4th | 2nd | 2nd | 3rd | 5th | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 5th | 4th | 5th | 5th | — | — | — |
| Key: | win | draw | loss | bye | |

## Matches

The Bulls played the following matches during the 2018 Super Rugby season:

## Player statistics

The Super Rugby appearance record for players that represented the Bulls in 2018 is as follows:
| 2018 Bulls player statistics |
| Player name | HUR | LIO | RED | CHI | CRU | STO | SHA | REB | HIG | STO | SHA | JAG | BRU | SUN | JAG | LIO | QF | SF | F | | App | Try | Con | Pen | DG | Pts |
| Pierre Schoeman | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | | | | | | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Jaco Visagie | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Frans van Wyk | 3 | 3 | 3 | | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 18 | | | | | — | — | — | | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| RG Snyman | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | | | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | — | — | — | | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Lood de Jager | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | | | | | | — | — | — | | 10 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| Roelof Smit | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 20 | 20 | 6 | | 20 | 6 | 6 | 6 | | | | — | — | — | | 12 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Thembelani Bholi | 7 | 7 | | 7 | | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 19 | 7 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 7 | — | — | — | | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Hanro Liebenberg | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | | | | | | | 8 | 8 | 8 | — | — | — | | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| André Warner | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | | | 21 | 21 | | 9 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | | | — | — | — | | 11 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| Handré Pollard | 10 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 10 | | — | — | — | | 15 | 5 | 40 | 13 | 0 | 144 |
| Johnny Kôtze | 11 | 11 | 12 | 23 | 23 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | | — | — | — | | 15 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35 |
| Burger Odendaal | 12 | | | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | | 12 | | | | — | — | — | | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jesse Kriel | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | — | — | — | | 16 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 40 |
| Travis Ismaiel | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | | | | 23 | 23 | 14 | 14 | 14 | | | 14 | — | — | — | | 11 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Divan Rossouw | 15 | 15 | 23 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 11 | 11 | 15 | — | — | — | | 14 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| Adriaan Strauss | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 16 | | | | — | — | — | | 13 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 |
| Lizo Gqoboka | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 1 | 1 | 1 | | | | | | — | — | — | | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Conraad van Vuuren | 18 | 18 | | 18 | | | | | 18 | 3 | 18 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Nick de Jager | 19 | 19 | 8 | | | | | | 20 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 7 | 20 | 20 | 20 | — | — | — | | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Marco van Staden | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 6 | — | — | — | | 16 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Embrose Papier | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 9 | 21 | | | 21 | | | | | 9 | 9 | 21 | — | — | — | | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Marnitz Boshoff | 22 | 10 | 22 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | — | — | | 3 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 11 |
| Duncan Matthews | 23 | | 11 | | | 23 | 23 | 23 | | | | | | | | | — | — | — | | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Francois Brummer | | 22 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | — | — | | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Warrick Gelant | | 23 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 12 | — | — | — | | 15 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35 |
| Trevor Nyakane | | | 18 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | | 3 | 1 | 1 | | | | — | — | — | | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jason Jenkins | | | 19 | 19 | 4 | 5 | 19 | 19 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 4 | | | — | — | — | | 12 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Manie Libbok | | | | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 10 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 10 | — | — | — | | 8 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
| Tim Agaba | | | | | 8 | | | | | | | | | | | | — | — | — | | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Hendré Stassen | | | | | 19 | 4 | | | 19 | | | 19 | | | | | — | — | — | | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ivan van Zyl | | | | | 21 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 21 | 9 | 9 | 9 | | 21 | 9 | — | — | — | | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ruben van Heerden | | | | | | 19 | | | | | | | 19 | | 4 | | — | — | — | | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Shaun Adendorff | | | | | | | | 20 | | | | | | | | | — | — | — | | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Nqoba Mxoli | | | | | | | | | | 17 | | 17 | 17 | | | | — | — | — | | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| JT Jackson | | | | | | | | | | | | 22 | | | | | — | — | — | | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Matthys Basson | | | | | | | | | | | | | 18 | | 17 | 17 | — | — | — | | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jannes Kirsten | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 7 | 7 | 4 | — | — | — | | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jamba Ulengo | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 14 | 14 | 11 | — | — | — | | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Edgar Marutlulle | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 | 16 | | — | — | — | | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Simphiwe Matanzima | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 17 | | | — | — | — | | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mornay Smith | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 18 | 18 | 18 | — | — | — | | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Dries Swanepoel | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 23 | 23 | 23 | — | — | — | | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Johan Grobbelaar | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 | — | — | — | | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ruan Nortjé | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 19 | — | — | — | | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Boeta Hamman | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 22 | — | — | — | | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | | – | 2 | – | – | – | 14 |
| Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | 16 | 59 | 47 | 16 | 0 | 441 |
(c) denotes the team captain. For each match, the player's squad number is shown. Starting players are numbered 1 to 15, while the replacements are numbered 16 to 22. If a replacement made an appearance in the match, it is indicated by . "App" refers to the number of appearances made by the player, "Try" to the number of tries scored by the player, "Kck" to the number of points scored via kicks (conversions, penalties or drop goals) and "Pts" refer to the total number of points scored by the player.
* Aston Fortuin, Ruan Steenkamp and Jade Stighling did not make any appearances.