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Rosko Specman scores hat-trick as Bulls smash Highlanders for first win of the season
By Online Editors
The Bulls recorded their first win of the season when they smashed the Highlanders 38-13 in Pretoria on Saturday.
After going into the break 5-10 down, the Bulls put in a commanding second-half performance with the help of Rosko Specman’s three tries.
The Bulls scored six tries in the game with the Highlanders only managing cross the whitewash once, which was in the first half.
After dominating territory and position, the Highlanders finally opened the scoring in the 10th minute with Josh Ioane running in for an easy try after great interplay. Ioane was also successful with the conversion
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However, it did not take long for the Bulls to hit back when Jaco Visagie found his way over the tryline after a powerful driving maul.
Manie Libbok was unable to convert the try.
There was plenty of attacking play shown by both teams, but there were also some wasted opportunities. A penalty from Ioane was the only other points in a scrappy first half.
At half-time, it was 10-5 in the Highlanders’ favour.
The Highlanders extended their lead with another three-pointer from Ioane in the 43rd minute.
The Bulls needed to be the next to score and they did when Warrick Gelant eased through the Highlanders’ defence for a try after sustained pressure in the visitors’ 22.
Libbok added the extra two points with the conversion to make it a one-point game.
The Bulls then found themselves in front in the 56th minute when Specman found his way over the tryline after several phases in the build-up. Libbok was successful with the conversion.
Things got better for the Bulls a few minutes later when some great interplay out wide saw Specman sprint away for his second try of the game.
Another two-pointer from Libbok saw the Bulls go into the final 18 minutes with a comfortable 13-point lead.
Specman completed his hat-trick win the 72nd minute after some more great passing saw the wing go over the in the corner. Steyn added the extras with the conversion.
The final nail was in the coffin when Cornal Hendricks picked up a loose ball to run in for his team’s final try.
- Rugby365
WATCH: Some Bulls fans bit got a bit too excited at last week's loss to the Jaguares.
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Latest Comments
Excellent points Mz. Because of other commitments I have just watched the game.
Interesting watching it after reading all the news reports especially in the English media. I was expecting to see a game that the ABs were very lucky to win. What I saw was a game that England showed their tactical incompetence and their inability to construct any try scoring opportunities.
They can go on deluding themselves that they were unlucky to lose ( as Borthwick said post match ) but until they stop relying on rush defence and goal kicking to win I feel they're doomed to be ranked 4 or 5 in the world.
Can't wait until the weekend to see how the Wallabies go against them
Though I dare say Walter will be hoping for an England win.
Go to commentsIF SA and NZ win then its 1,2,3 SA/NZ/IRL Otherwise as you were. This is largely irrelevant beyond bragging rights.
As I have pointed out elsewhere the practical use of the Rankings is to determine the seedings bands for the RWC draw. The draw takes place early 2026 and hopefully the rankings will be taken from then.
Important to be in the top 6, the top 12. (and likely the top 4).
This is because there are now 6 groups in the RWC 2027.
If you are in top 6 you are in Seeding Band 1. That means none of the other top 6 will be in your group.
Seeding Band 2 are teams from 7-12, who will have a top 6 team but no other 7-12 team.
After England's defeat by NZ there is clear water between NZ in 3rd, France in 4th and England in 5th. England are desperate for top4, ill come back and explain why later.
Lets look at Seeding Band 1 and 6th place. If you make 6th, no top 6 team is in your group, you are top dog. If you win your group, you won't be facing a top 6 team in your 1/8th final, you will be facing a weaker team. If you fail to make 6th place you WILL have a top 6 team in your group and if you don't win your group you WILL (probably) meet a top 6 in the 1/8 final. That's massive.
Its Argentina holding 6th now. Assuming England hold 5th, then its a 4 horse race for 6th. Argentina, Scotland, Italy and ...Australia. (ranked 6,7,8,9)
Australia play the Lions in NH summer 2025 they are running out of time to get up to 6th for their own RWC. They MUST make a move now. They must beat Wales and they really must beat Scotland to gain points and take points off them. Could they surprise England or Ireland? England may be the better bet but Schmidt knows Ireland so well having masterminded their downfall in France.
Another one to watch is Italy V Argentina. Italy are ambitious and they will want to start pushing the likes of Argentina. If they win this they are still in the hunt. Well worth a watch either way.
Top4: I think the top 6 will be seeded, all the way through from the draw. If thats the case then the top 4 will be seeded to avoid each other until the semi. Good for more certainty around ticket sales etc. That's a possible reason why England want in there. You're not in there you are hitting a top 4 team in a QF. That's an extra 50:50 match you can do without and avoid by being top 4.
Lets look at what Seeding bands might look like with todays rankings:
Seeding Band 1
IRE/SA/NZ/FRA/ENG/ARG
Seeding Band 2
SCO/ITA/AUS/FIJ/WAL/GEO
Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if in top 6
Strongest pool opponent: FIJI
1/8 final opponent GEORGIA
Prognosis: advance to 1/4 and potentially beyond
Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if NOT in top 6
Strongest pool opponent: SOUTH AFRICA
1/8 final opponent NEW ZEALAND
Prognosis: You know the prognosis
I am pretty sure this is not lost on Joe Schmidt?
Keep in mind when enjoying the matches.
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