# 2019 Bulls (rugby union) season

In 2019, the Bulls participated in the 2019 Super Rugby competition, the 24th 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 eight, drew two and lost six of their matches during the regular season of the competition to finish second in the South African Conference, and in 5th place overall to qualify for the finals as a wildcard team. They lost in their quarterfinal match to the Hurricanes.

## Personnel
### Coaches and management

The Bulls coaching and management staff for the 2019 Super Rugby season were:
| 2019 Bulls coaches and management |
| Name | Title |
| Alan Zondagh | Director of Rugby |
| Pote Human | Head coach |
| Chris Rossouw | Backline and attack coach |
| Daan Human | Scrum and maul specialist coach |
| Anton Leonard | Lineout specialist |
| Hayden Groepes | Skills coach (incl. kicking and kicking strategy) |
| Pine Pienaar | Defence coach |
| John-William Meyer | Technical analyst |

### Squad

The following players were named in the Bulls squad for the 2019 Super Rugby season:
| 2019 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 |
| Tim Agaba | Loose forward | (1989-07-23)23 July 1989 (aged 29) | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Matthys Basson | Prop | (1995-06-09)9 June 1995 (aged 23) | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Thembelani Bholi | Loose forward | (1990-01-18)18 January 1990 (aged 29) | 30 | 5 | 14 | 0 |
| Marnitz Boshoff | Fly-half | (1989-01-11)11 January 1989 (aged 30) | 32 | 246 | 3 | 11 |
| Schalk Brits | Hooker | (1981-05-16)16 May 1981 (aged 37) | 63 | 20 | 0 | 0 |
| Lood de Jager | Lock | (1992-12-17)17 December 1992 (aged 26) | 60 | 25 | 20 | 20 |
| Nick de Jager | Loose forward | (1990-02-07)7 February 1990 (aged 29) | 29 | 20 | 29 | 20 |
| Carel du Preez | Loose forward | (1993-04-30)30 April 1993 (aged 25) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Corniel Els | Hooker | (1994-01-19)19 January 1994 (aged 25) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Stedman Gans | Centre | (1997-03-19)19 March 1997 (aged 21) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Warrick Gelant | Outside back | (1995-05-20)20 May 1995 (aged 23) | 34 | 60 | 34 | 60 |
| Lizo Gqoboka | Prop | (1990-03-24)24 March 1990 (aged 28) | 37 | 10 | 37 | 10 |
| Johan Grobbelaar | Hooker | (1997-12-30)30 December 1997 (aged 21) | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Cornal Hendricks | Wing | (1988-04-18)18 April 1988 (aged 30) | 27 | 55 | 0 | 0 |
| Wiehahn Herbst | Prop | (1988-07-05)5 July 1988 (aged 30) | 40 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Travis Ismaiel | Outside back | (1992-06-02)2 June 1992 (aged 26) | 39 | 50 | 39 | 50 |
| JT Jackson | Centre | (1996-07-10)10 July 1996 (aged 22) | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Jason Jenkins | Lock | (1995-12-02)2 December 1995 (aged 23) | 40 | 35 | 40 | 35 |
| Jannes Kirsten | Loose forward | (1993-12-01)1 December 1993 (aged 25) | 31 | 10 | 31 | 10 |
| Johnny Kôtze | Centre | (1993-01-24)24 January 1993 (aged 26) | 34 | 40 | 15 | 35 |
| Jesse Kriel | Centre | (1994-02-15)15 February 1994 (aged 25) | 61 | 75 | 61 | 75 |
| Manie Libbok | Fly-half | (1997-07-15)15 July 1997 (aged 21) | 8 | 13 | 8 | 13 |
| Hanro Liebenberg | Loose forward | (1995-10-10)10 October 1995 (aged 23) | 28 | 15 | 28 | 15 |
| Madot Mabokela | Prop | (1996-07-15)15 July 1996 (aged 22) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Theo Maree | Scrum-half | (1995-03-02)2 March 1995 (aged 23) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Edgar Marutlulle | Hooker | (1987-12-20)20 December 1987 (aged 31) | 33 | 20 | 8 | 0 |
| Simphiwe Matanzima | Prop | (1997-08-18)18 August 1997 (aged 21) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Duncan Matthews | Outside back | (1994-02-24)24 February 1994 (aged 24) | 8 | 15 | 8 | 15 |
| Nqoba Mxoli | Prop | (1992-05-28)28 May 1992 (aged 26) | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Trevor Nyakane | Prop | (1989-05-04)4 May 1989 (aged 29) | 91 | 15 | 49 | 0 |
| Burger Odendaal | Centre | (1993-04-15)15 April 1993 (aged 25) | 43 | 15 | 43 | 15 |
| Embrose Papier | Scrum-half | (1997-04-25)25 April 1997 (aged 21) | 10 | 5 | 10 | 5 |
| Handré Pollard | Fly-half | (1994-03-11)11 March 1994 (aged 24) | 46 | 437 | 46 | 437 |
| Divan Rossouw | Outside back | (1996-03-12)12 March 1996 (aged 22) | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 |
| Dylan Sage | Centre | (1992-01-24)24 January 1992 (aged 27) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Paul Schoeman | Loose forward | (1992-12-19)19 December 1992 (aged 26) | 24 | 35 | 0 | 0 |
| Roelof Smit | Loose forward | (1993-01-11)11 January 1993 (aged 26) | 25 | 15 | 25 | 15 |
| Chris Smith | Fly-half | (1994-09-09)9 September 1994 (aged 24) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Eli Snyman | Lock | (1996-01-25)25 January 1996 (aged 23) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| RG Snyman | Lock | (1995-01-29)29 January 1995 (aged 24) | 39 | 10 | 39 | 10 |
| Rosko Specman | Wing | (1989-04-28)28 April 1989 (aged 29) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Hendré Stassen | Loose forward | (1997-12-29)29 December 1997 (aged 21) | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Ruan Steenkamp | Loose forward | (1993-02-02)2 February 1993 (aged 26) | 11 | 0 | 11 | 0 |
| Jade Stighling | Outside back | (1993-05-27)27 May 1993 (aged 25) | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Muller Uys | Loose forward | (1998-09-02)2 September 1998 (aged 20) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Dayan van der Westhuizen | Prop | (1994-04-05)5 April 1994 (aged 24) | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Marco van Staden | Loose forward | (1995-08-25)25 August 1995 (aged 23) | 16 | 10 | 16 | 10 |
| Conraad van Vuuren | Prop | (1995-09-04)4 September 1995 (aged 23) | 17 | 5 | 17 | 5 |
| Ivan van Zyl | Scrum-half | (1995-06-30)30 June 1995 (aged 23) | 17 | 0 | 17 | 0 |
| Jano Venter | Loose forward | (1994-01-08)8 January 1994 (aged 25) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Duane Vermeulen | Loose forward | (1986-07-03)3 July 1986 (aged 32) | 109 | 40 | 0 | 0 |
| Jaco Visagie | Hooker | (1992-07-08)8 July 1992 (aged 26) | 36 | 5 | 36 | 5 |
| André Warner | Scrum-half | (1993-09-02)2 September 1993 (aged 25) | 13 | 15 | 13 | 15 |
| Note: Players' ages and statistics are correct as of 15 February 2019, the date of the opening round of the competition. |

## Standings

The final standings for the 2019 Super Rugby season are:
2019 Super Rugby: Overall standings :
| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TF | TA | TB | LB | Pts | Qualification |
| 1 | Crusaders | 16 | 11 | 3 | 2 | 497 | 257 | +240 | 73 | 31 | 8 | 0 | 58 | Conference leaders Qualified to the finals |
| 2 | Jaguares | 16 | 11 | 0 | 5 | 461 | 352 | +109 | 60 | 38 | 5 | 2 | 51 | Conference leaders Qualified to the finals |
| 3 | Brumbies | 16 | 10 | 0 | 6 | 430 | 366 | +64 | 65 | 49 | 5 | 3 | 48 | Conference leaders Qualified to the finals |
| 4 | Hurricanes | 16 | 12 | 1 | 3 | 449 | 362 | +87 | 60 | 46 | 3 | 0 | 53 | Wildcard teams Qualified to finals |
| 5 | Bulls | 16 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 410 | 369 | +41 | 42 | 50 | 3 | 2 | 41 | Wildcard teams Qualified to finals |
| 6 | Sharks | 16 | 7 | 1 | 8 | 343 | 335 | +8 | 40 | 39 | 3 | 4 | 37 | Wildcard teams Qualified to finals |
| 7 | Chiefs | 16 | 7 | 2 | 7 | 451 | 465 | −14 | 63 | 59 | 2 | 2 | 36 | Wildcard teams Qualified to finals |
| 8 | Highlanders | 16 | 6 | 3 | 7 | 441 | 392 | +49 | 60 | 53 | 2 | 4 | 36 | Wildcard teams Qualified to finals |
| 9 | Lions | 16 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 401 | 478 | −77 | 53 | 64 | 2 | 1 | 35 | |
| 10 | Stormers | 16 | 7 | 1 | 8 | 344 | 366 | −22 | 34 | 46 | 1 | 4 | 35 | |
| 11 | Rebels | 16 | 7 | 0 | 9 | 393 | 465 | −72 | 56 | 61 | 3 | 3 | 34 | |
| 12 | Waratahs | 16 | 6 | 0 | 10 | 367 | 415 | −48 | 46 | 54 | 0 | 6 | 30 | |
| 13 | Blues | 16 | 5 | 1 | 10 | 347 | 369 | −22 | 45 | 47 | 2 | 6 | 30 | |
| 14 | Reds | 16 | 6 | 0 | 10 | 385 | 438 | −53 | 50 | 59 | 1 | 3 | 28 | |
| 15 | Sunwolves | 16 | 2 | 0 | 14 | 294 | 584 | −290 | 34 | 85 | 0 | 4 | 12 | |
South African Conference :
| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TF | TA | TB | LB | Pts |
| 1 | Jaguares | 16 | 11 | 0 | 5 | 461 | 352 | +109 | 60 | 38 | 5 | 2 | 51 |
| 2 | Bulls | 16 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 410 | 369 | +41 | 42 | 50 | 3 | 2 | 41 |
| 3 | Sharks | 16 | 7 | 1 | 8 | 343 | 335 | +8 | 40 | 39 | 3 | 4 | 37 |
| 4 | Lions | 16 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 401 | 478 | −77 | 53 | 64 | 2 | 1 | 35 |
| 5 | Stormers | 16 | 7 | 1 | 8 | 344 | 366 | −22 | 34 | 46 | 1 | 4 | 35 |
* 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 |
| Opposition | STO | JAG | LIO | SHA | Bye | CHI | SHA | JAG | RED | Bye | STO | WAR | CRU | REB | BRU | BLU | HIG | LIO |
| Cumulative Points | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Position (overall) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Position (SA Conf.) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Key: | win | draw | loss | bye | |

## Matches

The Bulls played the following matches during the 2019 Super Rugby season:

## Player statistics

The Super Rugby appearance record for players that represented the Bulls in 2019 is as follows:
| 2019 Bulls player statistics |
| Player name | STO | JAG | LIO | SHA | CHI | SHA | JAG | RED | STO | WAR | CRU | REB | BRU | BLU | HIG | LIO | QF | SF | F | | App | Try | Con | Pen | DG | Pts |
| Lizo Gqoboka | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | | 17 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Schalk Brits | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | | | | | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | | | — | — | | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Trevor Nyakane | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | — | — | | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jason Jenkins | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 | | | | | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | | 4 | — | — | | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Lood de Jager | 5 | 5 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | — | | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ruan Steenkamp | 6 | 6 | 6 | | 6 | 6 | 6 | | | | | | | 20 | 6 | 20 | 20 | — | — | | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Hanro Liebenberg | 7 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 7 | | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | — | — | | 16 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| Duane Vermeulen | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | | | 8 | 8 | — | — | | 14 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Embrose Papier | 9 | 9 | 9 | 21 | 21 | 9 | 9 | 21 | 21 | | 21 | 21 | 21 | | 9 | | | — | — | | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Handré Pollard | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | | | 10 | 10 | 10 | — | — | | 14 | 3 | 31 | 38 | 1 | 194 |
| Rosko Specman | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | | | | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | | 11 | 11 | — | — | | 13 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 |
| Burger Odendaal | 12 | 12 | | | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | | — | — | | 13 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| Jesse Kriel | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | | 13 | 13 | | | | | | | | 13 | — | — | | 9 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| Johnny Kôtze | 14 | | | | | 23 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 12 | — | — | | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Warrick Gelant | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | | | | 15 | 15 | 15 | | 15 | 15 | 15 | | 15 | 15 | — | — | | 12 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| Corniel Els | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 2 | 16 | | | | | | | | | | — | — | | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Simphiwe Matanzima | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | — | — | | 17 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Dayan van der Westhuizen | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | — | | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Eli Snyman | 19 | 19 | 5 | | 19 | 5 | 5 | | | | | | | | | 19 | | — | — | | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Thembelani Bholi | 20 | 20 | | 20 | | | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | | | | | | | — | — | | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ivan van Zyl | 21 | 21 | 21 | 9 | 9 | 21 | 21 | 9 | 9 | 9 | | | | 9 | 21 | 21 | 21 | — | — | | 14 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Manie Libbok | 22 | | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 10 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 10 | 10 | 22 | 22 | 22 | — | — | | 9 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 42 |
| Dylan Sage | 23 | 23 | 12 | 12 | 23 | | 13 | | | 13 | 23 | | | | 13 | | | — | — | | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cornal Hendricks | | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 23 | | | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | — | — | | 14 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 |
| Chris Smith | | 22 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | — | | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jannes Kirsten | | | 19 | 6 | 7 | 19 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 4 | 19 | — | — | | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tim Agaba | | | 20 | 7 | 20 | 20 | 20 | | | | | | | | | | | — | — | | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Divan Rossouw | | | 23 | 23 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 15 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 15 | 23 | 23 | — | — | | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Paul Schoeman | | | | 19 | | | | 8 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 6 | 6 | 8 | | | | — | — | | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Conraad van Vuuren | | | | | | 18 | 18 | | | | | | | | | | | — | — | | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jade Stighling | | | | | | | 11 | 11 | 14 | | | | | | | | | — | — | | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Jaco Visagie | | | | | | | 16 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 2 | 2 | — | — | | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| JT Jackson | | | | | | | 22 | | | | | | 22 | 22 | 23 | | | — | — | | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| RG Snyman | | | | | | | | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | — | — | | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Marco van Staden | | | | | | | | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 20 | 20 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 6 | — | — | | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Wiehahn Herbst | | | | | | | | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | — | — | | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Roelof Smit | | | | | | | | 20 | | | | | | | | | | — | — | | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Johan Grobbelaar | | | | | | | | | 16 | 16 | | | | | 20 | 16 | 16 | — | — | | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| André Warner | | | | | | | | | | 21 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 21 | | 9 | 9 | — | — | | 7 | 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 | | – | 1 | – | – | – | 7 |
| Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | 17 | 46 | 34 | 45 | 1 | 438 |
(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 23. 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, "Con" to the number of conversions kicked, "Pen" to the number of penalties kicked, "DG" to the number of drop goals kicked and "Pts" refer to the total number of points scored by the player.
* Matthys Basson, Marnitz Boshoff, Nick de Jager, Carel du Preez, Stedman Gans, Travis Ismaiel, Madot Mabokela, Theo Maree, Edgar Marutlulle, Duncan Matthews, Nqoba Mxoli, Hendré Stassen, Muller Uys and Jano Venter did not make any appearances