Bulls Edge Stormers in Dramatic Derby as Jake White Reflects on ‘Get-Out-of-Jail’ Win

The Vodacom Bulls emerged victorious in a thrilling North-South derby against the DHL Stormers at a sold-out Cape Stadium. 

Despite a lacklustre performance from the Stormers, Bulls coach Jake White was relieved to secure the win, though he expressed concern over the team's goal-kicking struggles.

A Hard-Fought Battle

"The Stormers were never going to go away. It was almost like a get-out-of-jail game. But we put ourselves there so many times with our own mistakes," White told SportsBoom.co.za. 

"Think about it,  we scored and then knocked the kick-off. We got a turnover in our half by defending well, then failed to find touch, giving them 3 or 7 points because they capitalized on our errors. We literally found ways to lose that game. Even Schalk Burger was saying, 'Are you trying any harder to lose the game?' And he was right, we tried everything to lose the game."

Despite the back-and-forth nature of the match, White acknowledged the significance of these encounters. "These derbies are what it’s all about. People will talk about this one for a long time. Sold-out game, last kick of the match… I'm very proud of this North-South derby, even if it wasn't a classic."

"It felt like a Test match and it went down to the last play, and it could’ve gone either way. I’m happy we got the win and a bonus point as well."

Goal-Kicking Woes

Both teams struggled with goal-kicking throughout the match, with Bulls centre David Kriel stepping in to take on the duties due to the absence of a specialized flyhalf.

"We missed a goal-kicker, that was obvious! That was always going to be a risk, and I thought David kicked quite well under the circumstances. It's very different when you are picked as the designated goal-kicker."

White highlighted how close the game was, emphasizing the decisive missed opportunity by the Stormers. "We saw what happened at the end, if Clayton [Blommetjies] had made that kick, they would have won. I would've been upset, and I probably would've been asked if I'm going to lose my job."

Willie le Roux at 10: A Hit or Miss?

Springbok fullback Willie le Roux was deployed at flyhalf, an unconventional decision that produced mixed results.

"At times he was good, at times he looked like a fullback trying to slot in at 10. It would be unfair to say he was either bad or good and I always knew there would be highs and lows in the fixture. The Stormers would ask us questions that no other team would."

White admitted it was a gamble. "I wrote down in my book actually, it's very difficult when you move a guy like Willie to 10 and expect everything to click."

Flight Delay with FlySafair

The Bulls faced logistical challenges leading up to the game, with their flight being delayed. White, however, took the opportunity to joke about it.

"I am so upset; I don't think we will recover. I didn’t even know they were delayed! One thing with FlySafair, who are sponsors of Springbok rugby, is that they are never late. They are the airline that is always on time. We might have left late, but we caught up on time and arrived as scheduled."

After the game, White clarified that his remarks were meant to promote the airline rather than criticize it.

"I was not trying to take a dig at FlySafair, I was promoting them! When I arrived in Cape Town, people were asking, 'Why are you late?' and I replied, 'We fly with FlySafair, and their phrase is 'We never get you late; we’re the most on-time airline.’ We might have left late, but we got here on time. FlySafair was fantastic," he joked.