A frustrated Jake White is looking for some positives as the Vodacom Bulls ended the year with a third successive defeat in all competitions on Saturday.
The Bulls lost 20-17 against the Sharks at Kings Park in Round 8 of the Vodacom URC. White’s charges will now have a two-week break before resuming duty in the Investec Champions Cup against Castres on January 11.
White expressed concerns about the Bulls’ performance in his post-match speech in Durban on Saturday, questioning whether there was a disconnect between him and his players.
“For three weeks in a row we’ve had situations where we could have put them (opponents) away. We basically dominated every part of the game and never won. It’s disappointing,” the director of rugby told reporters.
Similar to legendary football manager Pep Guardiola’s recent struggles, White suggested some soul-searching may be needed. Guardiola’s Manchester City have won just once in their last 12 games.
“I’ve been interested in Pep – how long he’s coached, what he’s done and he admits that sometimes he feels like himself.” White said.
Recap: The Hendrikse brothers teamed up to beat the Bulls.
“It’s not that the players don’t try, and I don’t think they are necessarily bad players. I feel like we always seem to be swimming against the tide. I’m not sure I’m getting what I thought I could get from them this season.”
Despite leading 14-10 at halftime on Saturday and dominating key stages of the game, the Bulls made some serious mistakes. White added: “When it’s on, we look fantastic. But (but) there are little things. We kick when we have to run, we run when we have to hit, we get a penalty advantage and we give the ball back.
“They are not. I don’t understand whether we are in harmony and it’s frustrating. And let’s look back at what Pep said. Sometimes you have to think, ‘Am I missing something?’”
White, who is top of the SA Shield and third overall in the URC standings, remains optimistic heading into 2025 but acknowledged the importance of addressing recurring mistakes.
“I would never say it was a panic station. We are top of the (SA Shield) record and have played five of our seven games at home, so there will be plenty of upside in the new year.
“But like anything else, I think it becomes frustrating when you make the same mistakes. “Tonight we didn’t lose, we lost.”
Photo: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images
