The Bulls demonstrated complete focus in the Champions Cup, securing a convincing victory over Stade Français with a score of 56–20 at Loftus Versfeld stadium, while scoring several impressive touchdowns.
In total, the Bulls scored eight points, with Andre Pollard masterfully converting all these points from penalties. The start of the match was exceptionally bright: after a quick ball movement, Harold Forster's center broke through the defense, allowing winger Chesville Yoste to score a touchdown in just 30 seconds.
However, the game was not one-sided. Ten minutes later, visiting winger Ihaiya West converted a long penalty kick. The French team looked dangerous when in possession, and West, the Kiwi winger, skillfully drove his backline.
Johan Ackermann spoke about the need to remain calm under pressure, and his players took this into account. They absorbed the pressure, intercepted the ball from the French in the 22-meter zone thanks to Hute Mchunu, and Kobus Wiese powerfully broke through for a try. It was a clinical moment.
Nevertheless, Ackermann might have been dissatisfied when Cameron Hanekom's run after a scrum was missed by Paul de Venter, but the Technical Video Review (TMO) intervened—Elayg Louw was seen holding a French player at the scrum.
This was even more frustrating because Stade Français advanced down the field after a penalty kick and got a chance to score. Louis Fursans-Bourdett, who replaced an injured West, scored three points.
The Bulls' line play also faltered. Their strong start began to weaken, but they deserved sympathy because Louw seemed to ground the ball while breaking through the line, yet TMO disagreed.
But the referees did not have to argue when Hanekom took the initiative and scored a touchdown. The halftime score was 21–6, and Ackermann likely talked to his players about the need to eliminate carelessness.
The visitors scored first, exerting relentless pressure that allowed South African locker Jacques Botha to break through for a try. Botha, who joined the French club last year, debuted in the starting lineup in December at the age of 19.
This goal was quickly compensated on the opposite end of the field when Marco van Staden, returning to the starting lineup at open flanker, capitalized on a maul from the out-line.