Champions Cup: are they worth the Pretoria Bulls, opponents of Stade Toulousain in the round of 16?
After a difficult victory, Stade Toulousain finished second in Pool B and will face the Blue Bulls of Pretoria, seventh in Pool A, in the round of 16.
The Stade Toulousain is in full cardboard. Four games won out of four games played. Yet the “red and black” finished second in their Champions Cup group. La Rochelle are ahead of them thanks to an offensive bonus point won against Northampton. This second place allows them to face the Blue Bulls, a South African team, ranked seventh in pool A, in the round of 16.
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Several international titles
The Pretoria Bulls have been making a name for themselves internationally for several years now. It is even the most successful South African team in the history of Super Rugby (2007, 2009 and 2010). In 2020, they won Super Rugby Unlocked, a competition set up in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
In South Africa, the team from the capital has distinguished itself on many occasions. Since 1946, she has won the Currie Cup (the main rugby union competition in South Africa) 24 times. Since 2021, it has been part of the United Rugby Championship (competition bringing together Welsh, Irish, Scottish, Italian and South African teams). The Bulls reach the final on their first appearance. Currently, they are in 3rd place in the URC.
Several key players
Several Bulls players are not unknown to French courts. This is particularly the case of the opening half Morné Steyn, a very important scorer for the club, but also for the Stade Français with whom he won the Challenge Cup. The du Plessis brothers, Jacques, prop, and Bismarck, hooker, arrived in 2021 from Montpellier and also distinguished themselves during matches, whether in the URC or the Champions Cup.
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Mixed results in the Champions Cup
The group stages were not easy for the Blue Bulls. After four games played, the South Africans finished seventh in their pool. They won all the same two games, at home against Lyon OU and Exeter. They fail twice outside. However, they meet all the French clubs in Pool A at the end of the first phase of the competition.
Stade Toulousain risks being a tenacious opponent for this round of 16. See you on the weekend of April 1 at the Ernest-Wallon stadium