Nomlomo says young Bulls lacked edge in 50-26 Currie Cup defeat

The Bulls XV lost 50-26 to the Stormers XXIII at Loftus on Friday, leaving coach Phiwe Nomlomo concerned by another weak start. The result was their sixth defeat of the Currie Cup campaign and confirmed that they will finish at the bottom of the standings, even if they beat the Sharks XV in the final round.

The visitors took control before the break, moving into half-time with a 33-7 lead. The Bulls improved after the interval and scored three tries, but their recovery could not overturn the damage caused in the opening 40 minutes.

Nomlomo said the performance was below the required standard and that his side again displayed the mental weakness he had identified the previous week. He was particularly frustrated that the Bulls failed to turn their first four attacking visits into points.

The coach said the team’s stronger second-half showing was partly linked to its playing style, with the Bulls expecting to become more effective late in matches. However, he said the lack of accuracy and defensive control early in games remained a major concern. The Bulls conceded 33 points before half-time and struggled to maintain concentration in dangerous areas.

Personnel changes have been a constant feature of the campaign, with 27 players making their Bulls debuts amid a heavy injury burden. Nomlomo refused to treat that disruption as an excuse, saying responsibility still rested with the players selected to represent the team.

The scale of the challenge was reflected in the final line-up, which contained 13 Under-21 players. Keagan Johannes and Hakeem Kunene were the main senior figures, while Pieter van der Merwe, a club player, started at inside centre. The Bulls will now close their Currie Cup season against the Sharks XV at Kings Park next week, with their bottom-place finish already assured.