| Teamname: | Bulls |
| Union: | South African Rugby Union |
| Location: | Pretoria, South Africa |
| Countryflag: | South Africa |
| Emblem: | Barberton Daisy, Bull |
| Founded: | 1938 |
| Region: | Gauteng |
| Ground: | Loftus Versfeld Stadium |
| Capacity: | 51,762 |
| Coach: | Phiwe Nomlomo (CC) |
| Captain: | Ruan Nortjé (URC & ERCC) Nama Xaba (CC) |
| Appearances: | Naas Botha (179) |
| Top Scorer: | Naas Botha (2511) |
| Most Tries: | Bryan Habana (37) |
| League: | United Rugby Championship European Rugby Champions Cup Currie Cup |
| Season: | 2024–25 & 2025 |
| Position: | URC Runners-up South African Shield: 3rd 2nd overall 2025 CC 6th overall |
| Url: | https://bullsrugby.co.za/ |
| Pattern La1: | _navyborder |
| Pattern B1: | _vnecknavy |
| Pattern Ra1: | _navyborder |
| Pattern So1: | _navystripe |
| Leftarm1: | 75C2EE |
| Body1: | 75C2EE |
| Rightarm1: | 75C2EE |
| Shorts1: | 0A3A79 |
| Socks1: | 75C2EE |
| Pattern La2: | _navyborder |
| Pattern B2: | _vneckwhite |
| Pattern Ra2: | _navyborder |
| Pattern So2: | _navystripe |
| Leftarm2: | E6F7FF |
| Body2: | E6F7FF |
| Rightarm2: | E6F7FF |
| Shorts2: | ffffff |
| Socks2: | ffffff |
| Currentseason: | 2025–26 Bulls (rugby union) season |
The Bulls (known for sponsorship reasons as the Vodacom Bulls) are a South African professional rugby union team based in Pretoria. They play their home matches at Loftus Versfeld. They compete in the United Rugby Championship, having competed in the Super Rugby competition until 2020 and the domestic Currie Cup competition.
The side won the Super 14 in 2007, 2009 and 2010, placing them among the most successful teams in Super Rugby history with three titles. They were the most successful team of the Super 14 era (2006–10), winning three out of the five titles. They are the most successful South African team, and the only South African team to win a Super Rugby title.
Formerly known as Northern Transvaal the side has competed in the Currie Cup since 1937 before becoming the Bulls in 1997.
The team as it is known today has its beginnings in 1938 when the then Northern Transvaal Rugby Union broke away from the Transvaal Rugby Football Union to gain status as an independent rugby union. The new team was named Northern Transvaal and donned light blue jerseys with a red Barberton Daisy emblem. However, in their very first match, they played in the red and gold hooped jerseys of the Pretoria Combined team that often "locked horns" with teams touring South Africa (red and gold being the colors of Pretoria).
Northern Transvaal participated in the Lion Cup between 1983 and 1994. The Lion Cup was a domestic rugby union knock-out competition held in South Africa. Northern Transvaal tasted success in the competition on three occasions, winning the competition in 1985, 1990 and 1991. They also finished as runners-up three times in 1987, 1988 and 1989. Northern Transvaal claimed the Lion Cup 62–6 against in 1991 which is one of the biggest victories ever in a final.
The Northern Transvaal rugby team participated in the Currie Cup / Central Series from 1986 to 1994. The competition saw the top Currie Cup teams play the Currie Cup Central A teams, with the Currie Cup team with the best playing record awarded the Percy Frames Trophy. Northern Transvaal was the most successful team, claiming six consecutive titles between 1987 and 1992.
Prior to the professional Super Rugby competition, Northern Transvaal competed in the Super 10, which was a tournament featuring ten teams from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Tonga and Western Samoa, which ran from 1993 to 1995. The top three teams from the previous Currie Cup season qualified for each of the Super 10 tournaments.
Northern Transvaal competed in the 1993 season, where they were grouped in Pool B alongside Transvaal, New South Wales, North Harbour and Waikato. Transvaal finished at the top of the pool, with Northern Transvaal finishing third, behind New South Wales. Northern Transvaal did not qualify for the Super 10 (Southern Hemisphere competition)#1994 Super 10 or 1995 seasons.
After rugby union went professional, the Super 10 tournament was restructured. The Super 12 was created, and was to be competed by teams from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Both Australia and New Zealand adopted new franchise models for their teams, whereas South Africa chose to use the Currie Cup to decide what teams were to be promoted in the Super 12 each season.
Competing in the inaugural Super 12 season of 1996, Northern Transvaal were one of the 12 teams. The side won eight of their 11 games and finished third on the table – behind only Auckland and Queensland. Jannie Kruger finished the season in the top three leading point-scorers, behind only Matt Burke and John Eales. The side was however soundly defeated in a semi-final by the Auckland Blues, with the final score being 48 points to 11. The game was played at Eden Park in Auckland.
After their fairly successful performance in the opening competition, the subsequent competition of 1997 saw them with three wins and three draws from 11 games. They finished at eighth. Following the 1997 season, South Africa adopted a similar franchise system to that of Australia and New Zealand's, abolishing the Currie Cup promotion system in favour of creating new franchises. The Bulls were formed as one of the four new teams. They did not make the semis in the 1998 season. The Bulls were considered one of the worst teams in the Super 12 competition, finishing last or second to last for five consecutive seasons from 1998 to 2003. In 2002, they became the first team ever to go through an entire Super Rugby season without winning a single game. This record remained until the Lions repeated the feat during the 2010 season. After finishing fourth in the inaugural competition, they did not make the semis again until the years 2003.
The Bulls finished in 6th place in both 2003 and 2004, though still missing out on a finals position. They equalled there 1996 performance in 2005, although there was a very poor start to the season, it was followed by six straight wins to earn them a semi-final berth, where they were defeated by the New South Wales Waratahs. Bryan Habana finished in the top three try-scorers by the end of the season, and was short-listed for IRB player of the year.
In 2006, the Super 12 became the Super 14, with the addition of two new franchises, the Cheetahs and the Western Force. By the last round of the 2006 season, the Bulls, along with the Brumbies and Sharks were all in contention to take the fourth and final position on the ladder to make the semi-finals. After the Brumbies were defeated 33 to 3 by the Crusaders, the Bulls or Sharks could mathematically take the fourth spot. The Bulls defeated the Stormers at Newlands in Cape Town 43 points to 10, which ensured they went through to the semi-finals. The Bulls travelled to Christchurch where they were defeated 35 to 15 at Jade Stadium and knocked out of the finals.
The Bulls lost their first game of the 2007 Super 14 season, going down to the Sharks in Durban 17 points to 3. Entering week 14, the last round of the regular season, the Bulls were chasing an unlikely 72-point win over the Queensland Reds in order to move into second place and get a home semi-final.[1] At Loftus, the Bulls defeated the Reds 92 points to 3, with the 89-point margin of victory setting a new Super rugby record. The Bulls ran in 13 tries with four players getting doubles and Derick Hougaard kicking 11 conversions. The Sharks finished first, so it became the first time that both home venues in the semi-finals was in South Africa.
The Bulls defeated the Crusaders in their semi-final by 27 points to 12, with Derick Hougaard kicking eight penalties and a drop-goal. The Sharks ensured a home-final in the 2007 Super 14-competition by defeating the Blues with a scoreline of 34–18.
When the Bulls met the Sharks in the Super 14 final at the Absa Stadium in Durban the match turned out to be a tight, nervous affair with the Bulls initially being guilty of indiscipline and making a lot of mistakes. The Sharks carried a 14–10 advantage into half-time after a JP Pietersen try cancelled out one from Pierre Spies. The second half of the match was just as nail-biting, with the Bulls gaining the ascendancy in the match, but failing to turn their rising amount of possession into points. A Derick Hougaard penalty closed the gap to 14–13, after which the Bulls made several onslaughts on the Sharks line, only to lose the ball at critical stages. Their match looked to be all but over for the Bulls when Albert van den Berg barged over the line for a Sharks try two minutes from full-time to stretch their lead to six points. However, François Steyn failed with the conversion attempt, and the Bulls restarted with barely seconds on the clock. After regaining the ball from the kick-off, play went through several phases before Bryan Habana received the ball on the right wing. He cut infield and scored the most dramatic of match winning tries, more than a minute after official play. The try was converted by Derick Hougaard and the Bulls won the match 20–19. In 2009 the Bulls again won the Super 14, defeating the Chiefs 61 – 17 in the final in Pretoria.
In 2010 the Bulls again finished top of the log by beating the Crusaders in a home semi final to secure a home final. Because the FIFA World Cup was being hosted by South Africa that year and Loftus was included as a venue, they had to play the semi and final in Soweto, a first in Super Rugby history. The Stormers had beaten the Waratahs at home and would face off with the Bulls in the Final. The Bulls won the final once again in dramatic style when Francois Hougaard sidestepped the Stormers fullback Joe Petersen to score an impressive try.
The Bulls only managed the Super Rugby South African Conference trophy in 2013 and they were three time conference runner-up in 2012, 2014 and 2019. They also reached the Qualifiers twice and Semi-final once but lost all three play-off matches.
After the 2020 Super Rugby season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a replacement tournament was announced for each country. The South African tournament was called Super Rugby Unlocked and the Bulls were crowned the champions after ending top of the log.[2]
The South African teams withdrew from the competition entirely, making the Bulls the only South African winners of any form of the Super Rugby trophy.[3]
The Pro14 Rainbow Cup was announced as an end-of-season cup competition to introduce the South African teams after their withdrawal from Super Rugby. After the regular season the top of the South African log Bulls faced European top Benetton in the final in Italy. The Bulls lost their first match in Europe as well as the Pro14 Rainbow Cup final 35–8.[4]
The 2021–22 season was a tough start for the Bulls with two straight losses in Europe against Leinster 31-3 and Connacht 34–7. The Bulls got their first win in Europe on 9 October 2021 beating Cardiff Blues 29–19.[5]
They went on to finish in 4th place on the overall standings after regular season, securing a home quarter-final.
Through the years the rivalry between the Blue Bulls and Western Province has become legendary, and a clash between these two sides is one of the Currie Cup's biggest rivalries.[6] The first time that the two sides met in an actual Currie Cup final was in 1946, which was also Northern Transvaal's first final contest. The match was played at Northern Transvaal's home ground at Loftus Versfeld, and saw the Western Province go down 11 to 9.
After meeting in numerous other finals following 1946, it would not be until the 1982 season, when the Western Province would defeat Northern Transvaal in a Currie Cup final. In the 1980s the two sides met in six Currie Cup finals, with the Western Province winning three of them and one being drawn. One of the most recent Currie Cup seasons when both sides made it to the final was the 1998 season: The Blue Bulls beat the Western Province by four points, 24 to 20, at Loftus Versfeld.
In recent years, the great rivalry between the Blue Bulls and Western Province has faded. It has been many years since the decades that these two teams dominated the Currie Cup competition and new rivalries have come to the foreground. Many Blue Bull fans actually agree that the rivalry has shifted towards Free State, especially after both teams qualified for the Currie Cup final for the third consecutive year in 2006. Statistics have shown that Loftus Versfeld currently experiences more incidents of bad behaviour during Bulls home games against Free State and the Sharks, than during any other games in the season, including those against Western Province.[7]
The team is centred around the Blue Bulls Rugby Union, whose catchment covers Pretoria as well as Limpopo, but also draws players from the Falcons Rugby Union, who represent the East Rand. Through 2005, the Bulls also drew players from the Pumas Rugby Union and Leopards Rugby Union, but in the realignment of franchise areas that came from the expansion of Super 12 to Super 14, these unions were moved into the Lions.
The Bulls play all their home matches at the Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria, which is also the home of the Blue Bulls during the Currie Cup season. The stadium is also a regular host for Springboks Test matches, and was a venue during the 1995 Rugby World Cup which South Africa hosted. Loftus was a venue for Pool D matches including France v Tonga, Scotland v Tonga and France v Scotland. Loftus was also used twice during the finals stages – for the New Zealand v Scotland quarter-final and the England v France third place play-off.
The ground has been used for rugby since 1908, and in 1932 the stadium was renamed to Loftus Versfeld in honor of Robert Owen Loftus Versfeld, the founder of organized rugby in Pretoria.[8] [9] The stadium has undergone numerous renovations over the years, and is currently capable of holding 51,762 spectators.
Since 2005, the team's main sponsor has been mobile communications company Vodacom.[10] On the team's website and all team-issued press releases, the Bulls are referred to as the Vodacom Bulls.
The Bulls squad for the 2025–26 United Rugby Championship is:[11]
| Bulls United Rugby Championship squad | ||
|---|---|---|
Props
Hookers
Locks | Loose forwards
Scrum-halves
Fly-halves | Centres
Wingers
Fullbacks |
| (c) Denotes team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped, ST denotes a short-term signing. |
The following players have been included so far in the Blue Bulls squad for the 2025 Currie Cup Premier Division:[12] [13]
The complete results for the Bulls vs different opponents in all competitions
| Super Rugby, Super Rugby Unlocked, Preparation Series, Pro14 Rainbow Cup, United Rugby Championship, European Rugby Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, Toyota Challenge | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opposition | Span | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Win% | Points for | Best score | Worst score | 40–49 points | 50+ points< | -- Opposition | Span | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Win% | Points for | Average points for | Points against | Best score | Worst score | 40–49 points | 50+ points | Result--> | ||
| 1996–2025 | 47 | 28 | 3 | 16 | 59.57% | 1106 | 23.53 | 1021 | 44–10 (2023–24) URC | 47–20 (2022–23) URC | 6 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1996–2019 | 22 | 12 | 0 | 10 | 54.55% | 506 | 23.00 | 609 | 48–38 (2010) Super Rugby | 53–7 (2001) Super Rugby | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1996–2020 | 23 | 7 | 2 | 14 | 30.43% | 568 | 24.70 | 644 | 59–29 (1996) Super Rugby | 65–23 (1999) Super Rugby | 2 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1996–2020 | 23 | 10 | 0 | 13 | 43.48% | 614 | 26.70 | 521 | 92–3 (2007) Super Rugby | 48–12 (2002) Super Rugby | 2 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1996–2019 | 27 | 10 | 0 | 17 | 37.04% | 626 | 23.19 | 909 | 40–35 (2010) Super Rugby | 75–27 (2000) Super Rugby | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1996–2020 | 23 | 7 | 2 | 14 | 30.43% | 588 | 25.57 | 759 | 59–26 (2009) Super Rugby | 65–24 (2002) Super Rugby | 2 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1996–2019 | 23 | 8 | 2 | 13 | 34.78% | 636 | 27.65 | 745 | 61–17 (2009) Super Rugby Final | 53–24 (2002) Super Rugby | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1996–2025 | 39 | 25 | 1 | 13 | 64.10% | 1123 | 28.79 | 988 | 62–52 (2004) Super Rugby | 57–24 (1999) Super Rugby | 2 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1996–2019 | 22 | 10 | 0 | 12 | 45.45% | 567 | 25.77 | 602 | 48–14 (2013) Super Rugby | 64–32 (1997) Super Rugby | 4 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1996–2019 | 23 | 8 | 0 | 15 | 34.78% | 568 | 24.70 | 672 | 50–32 (2010) Super Rugby | 73–9 (1999) Super Rugby | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1996–2025 | 47 | 18 | 1 | 28 | 38.30% | 1086 | 23.11 | 1048 | 75–14 (2005) Super Rugby | 42–19 (1999) Super Rugby | 4 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1997–2022 | 22 | 16 | 0 | 6 | 72.73% | 669 | 30.41 | 496 | 60–20 (2008) Super Rugby | 42–29 (2015) Super Rugby | 2 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2006–2016 | 10 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 60.00% | 264 | 26.40 | 221 | 42–20 (2016) Super Rugby | 30–27 (2007) Super Rugby | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2011–2019 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 85.71% | 253 | 36.14 | 125 | 47–10 (2011) Super Rugby | 35–41 (2012) Super Rugby | 4 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2013–2017 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 75.00% | 150 | 37.50 | 55 | 48–18 (2013) Super Rugby | 31–30 (2017) Super Rugby | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2016–2018 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 60.00% | 171 | 34.20 | 114 | 50–3 (2016) Super Rugby | 42–37 (2018) Super Rugby | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2016–2020 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 28.57% | 160 | 22.86 | 218 | 43–34 (2018) Super Rugby | 54–25 (2018) Super Rugby | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2020–2020 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | 30 | 30.00 | 23 | 30–23 (2020) Super Rugby Unlocked | 23–30 (2020) Super Rugby Unlocked | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2020–2021 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | 69 | 34.50 | 36 | 48–31 (2020) Preparation Series | 31–48 (2020) Preparation Series | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2021–2021 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | 87 | 87.00 | 10 | 87–10 (2021) Preparation Series | 10–87 (2021) Preparation Series | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2021–2024 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 83.33% | 201 | 33.50 | 159 | 56–35 (2023–24) URC | 35–8 (2021) Rainbow Cup Final | 2 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2021–2025 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 57.14% | 159 | 22.71 | 183 | 62–7 (2022–23) URC | 47–14 (2023–24) URC | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2021–2024 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 75.99% | 116 | 29.00 | 89 | 53–27 (2023–24) URC | 34–7 (2021–22) URC | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2021–2025 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | 137 | 34.25 | 61 | 45–9 (2022–23) URC | 21–45 (2024–25) URC | 2 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2021–2025 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 50.00% | 158 | 26.34 | 162 | 42–33 (2024–25) URC | 34–28 (2024–25) URC | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2022–2025 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | 240 | 60.00 | 72 | 78–12 (2022–23) URC | 29–54 (2023–24) URC | 1 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2022–2025 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 60.00% | 84 | 21.00 | 95 | 29–24 (2021–22) URC | 31–17 (2022–23) URC | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2022–2024 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 50.67% | 170 | 42.50 | 93 | 63–21 (2023–24) URC | 37–28 (2022–23) URC | 0 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2022–2025 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | 170 | 42.50 | 59 | 55–15 (2024–25) URC | 20–55 (2021–22) URC | 0 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2022–2024 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 50.00% | 123 | 30.75 | 95 | 47–21 (2024–25) URC | 32–23 (2022–23) URC | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2022–2025 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 60.00% | 132 | 26.40 | 126 | 40–34 (2024–25) URC | 35–21 (2022–23) URC | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2022–2024 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | 171 | 42.75 | 100 | 61–24 (2023–24) URC | 31–38 (2021–22) URC | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2022–2024 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 50.00% | 136 | 34.00 | 115 | 59–19 (2023–24) Heineken Cup | 36–42 (2022–23) Heineken Cup | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2022–2023 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 50.00% | 53 | 26.50 | 72 | 39–28 (2022–23) Heineken Cup | 44–14 (2022–23) Heineken Cup | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2023–2023 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.00% | 9 | 9.00 | 33 | 9–33 (2022–23) Heineken Cup | 33–9 (2022–23) Heineken Cup | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2023–2024 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 50.00% | 32 | 16.00 | 43 | 27–16 (2023–24) Heineken Cup | 27–5 (2024–25) Heineken Cup | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2024–2024 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | 31 | 31.00 | 17 | 31–17 (2023–24) Heineken Cup | 17–31 (2022–23) Heineken Cup | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2024–2024 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | 46 | 46.00 | 40 | 46–40 (2023–24) Heineken Cup | 40–46 (2022–23) Heineken Cup | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2024–2024 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0.00% | 43 | 21.50 | 89 | 22–59 (2023–24) Heineken Cup | 59–22 (2022–23) Heineken Cup | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2025–2025 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.00% | 10 | 10.00 | 49 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2025–2025 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | 48 | 48.00 | 7 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2025–2025 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | 32 | 32.00 | 22 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Super Rugby | 1996–2020 | 335 | 158 | 11 | 166 | 47.16% | 8626 | 25.75 | 8875 | 92–3 vs Reds (2007) | 75–27 vs Crusaders (2000) | 30 | 14 | |||||||||||||||
| Super Rugby Unlocked | 2020–2020 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 83.33% | 178 | 29.67 | 92 | 41–14 vs Sharks (2021) | 25–30 vs Lions (2021) | 1 | 0 | |||||||||||||||
| Preparation Series | 2021–2021 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 75.00% | 181 | 45.25 | 115 | 87–10 vs Eastern Province Elephants (2021) | 45–12 vs Sharks (2021) | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||
| United Rugby Championship | 2021–2025 | 80 | 52 | 0 | 28 | 65.00% | 2484 | 31.05 | 1825 | 78–12 vs Zebre (2022–23) | 47–14 vs Leinster (2023–24) | 12 | 11 | |||||||||||||||
| Pro14 Rainbow Cup | 2021–2021 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 71.43% | 191 | 27.29 | 152 | 43–9 vs Sharks (2021) | 35–8 vs Benetton (2021) | 1 | 0 | |||||||||||||||
| European Rugby Champions Cup | 2022–2025 | 15 | 7 | 0 | 8 | 46.67% | 408 | 27.20 | 465 | 59–19 vs Lyon (2023–24) | 59–22 vs Northampton Saints (2023–24) | 3 | 1 | |||||||||||||||
| EPCR Challenge Cup | 2025–2025 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 50.00% | 60 | 30.00 | 56 | 32–22 vs Bayonne (2024–25) | 34–28 vs Edinburgh (2024–25) | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||
| Toyota Challenge | 2022–2022 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.00% | 14 | 14.00 | 17 | 14–17 vs Cheetahs (2022) | 17–14 vs Cheetahs (2022) | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||
| Overall | 1996–2025 | 450 | 231 | 11 | 208 | 51.33% | 12142 | 26.98 | 11597 | 92–3 vs Reds (2007) | 75–27 vs Crusaders (2000) | 48 | 27 | |||||||||||||||
| Currie Cup | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opposition | Span | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Win% | Points for | Best score | Worst score | 40-49 points | 50+ points< | -- Opposition | Span | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | w% | Points For | Average points for | Points Against | Best score | Worst score | 40-49 points | 50+ points | Result--> | ||
| align=left | 1996–2025 | 58 | 29 | 2 | 27 | 50.00% | 1623 | 27.98 | 1575 | 63–26 (2003) | 8 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||
| align=left | 1996–2025 | 55 | 29 | 4 | 22 | 52.73% | 1544 | 28.07 | 1483 | 57–27 (1997) | 4 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||
| align=left | 1996–2025 | 49 | 28 | 0 | 21 | 57.14% | 1420 | 28.98 | 1343 | 62–23 (2013) | 6 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||
| align=left | 1996–2025 | 47 | 36 | 0 | 11 | 76.60% | 1887 | 40.15 | 1193 | 58–37 (2000) | 18 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||
| align=left | 1996–2025 | 14 | 12 | 0 | 2 | 85.71% | 644 | 46.00 | 281 | 35–26 (2016) Qualification | 2 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||
| align=left | 1996–2016 | 17 | 14 | 1 | 2 | 82.35% | 673 | 39.59 | 316 | 36–33 (2000) Bankfin Cup | 4 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||
| align=left | 1996–2016 | 14 | 13 | 0 | 1 | 92.86% | 709 | 50.64 | 255 | 32–36 (1999) | 2 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||
| align=left | 1996–2024 | 11 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 81.82% | 559 | 50.82 | 248 | 37–43 (2000) Bankfin Cup | 1 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||
| align=left | 1997–2025 | 51 | 18 | 2 | 31 | 35.29% | 1260 | 24.71 | 1283 | 39–27 (2011) | 7 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||
| align=left | 1997–2025 | 32 | 25 | 0 | 7 | 78.13% | 1080 | 33.75 | 761 | 63–15 (2023) | 6 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||
| align=left | 1997–2016 | 12 | 10 | 0 | 2 | 83.33% | 503 | 41.92 | 325 | 50–48 (2002) | 5 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||
| align=left | 1997–2016 | 15 | 14 | 0 | 1 | 93.33% | 737 | 49.13 | 356 | 51–26 (2016) Qualification | 3 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||
| align=left | 1997–2016 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 66.67% | 235 | 39.17 | 131 | 26–23 (2000) | 1 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||
| align=left | 2016–2016 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | 95 | 95.00 | 12 | 12–95 (2016) Qualification | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||
| Bottom | Overall | 1996–2025 | 382 | 242 | 9 | 131 | 63.35% | 12969 | 33.95 | 9562 | 147–8 SWD Eagles (1996) | 63–15 Pumas (2023) | 67 | 60 | ||||||||||||||
The Blue Bulls Vodacom Cup and SuperSport Rugby Challenge results vs different opponents 1998-2019
Added together based on the fact that both competitions serves as the second tier in South African rugby. In some of these fixtures, the Blue Bulls were represented by the .
| Vodacom Cup and Rugby Challenge | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opposition | Span | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Win% | Points for | Best score | Worst score | 40-49 points | 50+ points< | -- Opposition | Span | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | w% | Points For | Average points for | Points Against | Best score | Worst score | 40-49 points | 50+ points | Result--> | ||
| align=left | 1998–2019 | 28 | 13 | 0 | 15 | 46.43% | 827 | 29.54 | 872 | 63–27 (2002) | 3 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||
| align=left | 1998–2019 | 23 | 18 | 1 | 4 | 78.26% | 805 | 35.00 | 566 | 41–45 (1999) | 6 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||
| align=left | 1998–2019 | 22 | 9 | 1 | 12 | 40.91% | 613 | 27.86 | 635 | 51–22 (1999) | 3 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||
| align=left | 1998–2019 | 21 | 16 | 0 | 5 | 76.19% | 823 | 39.19 | 462 | 39–21 (2002) | 2 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||
| align=left | 1998–2019 | 19 | 9 | 0 | 10 | 47.37% | 542 | 28.53 | 550 | 40–25 (2000) | 6 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||
| align=left | 1998–2019 | 15 | 14 | 0 | 1 | 93.33% | 631 | 42.07 | 299 | 36–25 (1999) | 3 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||
| align=left | 1998–2017 | 11 | 7 | 0 | 4 | 63.64% | 316 | 28.73 | 258 | 57–27 (1998) | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||
| align=left | 1999–2019 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | 625 | 62.50 | 203 | 34–58 (2010) | 2 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||
| align=left | 2000–2017 | 11 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 54.55% | 328 | 29.82 | 238 | 37–35 (2008) | 2 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||
| align=left | 2001–2011 | 9 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 77.78% | 344 | 38.22 | 262 | 45–47 (2002) | 4 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||
| align=left | 2001–2015 | 14 | 13 | 0 | 1 | 92.85% | 526 | 37.57 | 382 | 50–23 (2004) | 5 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||
| align=left | 2001–2011 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 71.43% | 259 | 37.00 | 125 | 33–26 (2005) | 0 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||
| align=left | 2001–2011 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 60.00% | 154 | 30.80 | 134 | 33–27 (2008) | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||
| align=left | 2006–2013 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 75.00% | 138 | 34.50 | 117 | 34–31 (2013) | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||
| align=left | 2011–2011 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0.00% | 31 | 15.50 | 41 | 27–22 (2011) | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||
| align=left | 2013–2015 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | 307 | 102.33 | 13 | 13–83 (2015) | 0 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||
| Bottom | Overall | 1998–2019 | 204 | 136 | 2 | 66 | 66.67% | 7269 | 35.63 | 5157 | 114–0 vs Limpopo Blue Bulls Vodacom Cup 2014 | 63–27 Vs Golden Lions (2002) | 39 | 33 | ||||||||||||||
Other notable results:
| Date | Opponent | Location | Result | Bulls score | Opponent score | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 February 2001 | Fiji Developmental side | Fiji | Lost | 27 | 35 | Report | |
| 3 February 2001 | Fiji | Fiji | Won | 33 | 19 | Report | |
| 7 February 2001 | Fiji Warriors | Fiji | Won | 19 | 14 | Report | |
| 31 January 2015 | Allianz Park, London | Won | 39 | 26 | Report | ||
| 17 July 2021 | South Africa A | Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town | Won | 17 | 14 | Report |
| Individual Records | United Rugby Championship | Heineken Cup | EPCR Challenge Cup | Super Rugby | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Most points | 388 by Chris Smith | 15 by David Kriel | 1487 by Morné Steyn | ||
| Most tries | 3 by David Kriel | 37 by Bryan Habana (2005–09) 2nd Akona Ndungane 33 tries (2005–14) | |||
| Most conversions | 92 by Chris Smith | 3 by Johan Goosen, Keagan Johannes | 245 by Morné Steyn | ||
| Most penalty kicks | 57 by Chris Smith | 1 by Johan Goosen, Keagan Johannes | 283 by Morné Steyn | ||
| Most drop goals | 1 by Chris Smith | record not set | record not set | 26 by Morné Steyn |
| Match Records | United Rugby Championship | Heineken Cup | EPCR Challenge Cup | Super Rugby | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biggest victory. | 78–12 (v., 2023) | 59-19 (v., 2024) | 32-22 (v., 2025) | 92–3 (v. Queensland Reds, 2007) | |
| Largest points for | 78 (v., 2023) | 59 (v., 2024) | 32 (v., 2025) | 92 (v. Queensland Reds, 2007) | |
| Biggest defeat | 14–47 (v., 2024) | 22-59 (v., 2024) | 34-28 (v., 2025) | 9–73 (v ACT Brumbies, 1999) | |
| Most points conceded | 47 (v., 2022), (v., 2024) | 59 (v., 2024) | 34 (v., 2025) | 75 (v Crusaders, 2000) | |
| Most tries: | 11 (v., 2023) | 9 (v., 2024) | 4 tries on two occasions | 13 (v Queensland Reds, 2007) | |
| Most tries conceded | 7 (v., 2024) | 9 (v., 2024) | 4 (v., 2025) | 11 (v, 2000) | |
| Most points by a player | 23 by Johan Goosen (v. 2023) | 13 by Chris Smith (v., 2023) | 10 by David Kriel (v., 2025) | 35 by Morné Steyn (v, 2005, v 2010) | |
| Most tries by a player | 3 (hat-trick) by Cornal Hendricks (v. Ospreys, 2022),Canan Moodie (v. 2023),David Kriel (v. 2023), Canan Moodie (v. 2024), Johan Grobbelaar (v. Ospreys, 2025) | 2 tries on 5 occasions | 2 by David Kriel (v., 2025) | 3 by Adriaan Richter (v., 1997), Fourie du Preez (v., 2004), Wynand Olivier (v., 2011), Bjorn Basson (v., 2016), Warrick Gelant (v., 2017), Adriaan Strauss (v., 2018), Warrick Gelant (v., 2018), Rosko Specman (v., 2020) | |
| Most conversions by a player | 10 by Johan Goosen (v. 2023) | 6 by Morné Steyn (v., 2022) | 2 on two occasions | 11 by Derick Hougaard (v. Queensland Reds, 2007) | |
| Most penalties by a player | 5 by Morné Steyn (v. Sharks, 2021), Chris Smith (v. Cardiff 2021), Chris Smith (v. 2022) | 3 by Chris Smith (v., 2023), Chris Smith (v., 2023) | 1 on two occasions | 8 by Jannie de Beer (v., 1996), Derick Hougaard (v., 2007) | |
| Most drop goals by a player | 1 by Chris Smith (v. 2022), Keagan Johannes (v. 2025) | record not set | record not set | 4 by Morné Steyn (v., 2009) |
| Season Records | United Rugby Championship | Heineken Cup | EPCR Challenge Cup | Super Rugby | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Most points | 710 (2023–24) | 213 (2023–24) | 60 (2024-25) | 500 (2010) | |
| Most team tries | 92 (2023–24) | 28 (2023–24) | 8 (2024-25) | 59 (2018) | |
| Most team conversions | 70 (2023–24) | 23 (2023–24) | 6 (2024-25) | 47 (2018) | |
| Most team penalties | 36 (2023–24) | 9 (2023–24) | 2 (2024-25) | 62 (2010) | |
| Most team drop goals | 1 (2021–22) | record not set | record not set | 11 (2009) | |
| Most points by a player | 167 by Johan Goosen (2023–24) | 15 by David Kriel | 263 by Morné Steyn (2010 – Super Rugby record) | ||
| Most tries by a player | 12 by Akker van der Merwe (2023–24) | 3 by David Kriel, Marcell Coetzee, Embrose Papier, Sebastian de Klerk (2023–24) | 3 by David Kriel | 11 by Bjorn Basson (2012) | |
| Most conversions by a player | 45 by Johan Goosen (2023–24) | 16 by Johan Goosen (2023–24) | 3 by Johan Goosen, Keagan Johannes | 38 by Morné Steyn (2010) | |
| Most penalty kicks by a player | 24 by Johan Goosen (2023–24) | 4 by Chris Smith (2022–23)&(2023–24) | 1 by Johan Goosen, Keagan Johannes | 51 Morné Steyn (2010 – Super Rugby Record) | |
| Most drop goals by a player | 1 by Chris Smith (2021–22) | record not set | record not set | 11 by Morné Steyn (2009, Super Rugby Record) |
United Rugby Championship Team of the Year
The following Bulls players were selected in the URC team of the year.
United Rugby Championship Golden Boot
The Golden Boot is awarded to the kicker who has successfully converted the highest percentage of place kicksTo be eligible, the player must have taken at least 20 kicks at goal.
| Season | Winner | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 90% | ||
| 90% | ||
United Rugby Championship Ironman of the Year
The award for having played the most minutes in the URC during the season.
United Rugby Championship Next-Gen Player of the Year
The award is to recognize young up and coming talent.
| Individual Records | Held by |
|---|---|
| Most points | 1708 by Morné Steyn (2005 – 2023) |
| Most tries | 37 by Bryan Habana (2005–2009) |
| Most conversions | 309 by Morné Steyn (2005 – 2023) |
| Most penalty kicks | 314 by Morné Steyn (2005 – 2023) |
| Most drop goals | 26 by Morné Steyn (2005 – 2023) |
Bulls Currie Cup records:[15]
| Team Match Records | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record | Opposition | Venue | Season | < | --Record | Opposition | Venue | Season | No--> |
| Biggest win: | 1996 | 147–8 | |||||||
| Heaviest defeat: | Pretoria | 15–63 | |||||||
| Highest score: | 1996 | 147 | |||||||
| Most points conceded: | 1997 | 64 | |||||||
| Most tries: | 1996 | 23 | |||||||
| Player Match Records | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record | Player | Opposition | Venue | Season | < | --Record | Player | Opposition | Venue | Season | No--> |
| Most points by a player: | Pretoria | 40 | |||||||||
| Most tries by a player: | Polokwane | 1996 | 7 | ||||||||
| Most conversions by a player: | Willie du Plessis | Lephalale | 2013 | 15 | |||||||
| Most Currie Cup conversions by a player: | Polokwane | 1996 | 14 | ||||||||
| Most penalties by a player: | Pretoria | 1996 | 9 | ||||||||
| Pretoria | 2002 | 9 | |||||||||
| Most drop goals by a player: | Pretoria | N/A | 5 | ||||||||
| Team Season Records | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record | Matches | Season | < | --Record | Matches | Season | No--> |
| Most team points: | in 28 matches | 1996 | 1193 | ||||
| Most Currie Cup team points: | in 13 matches | 783 | |||||
| Most team tries: | in 28 matches | 2004 | 142 | ||||
| Player Season Records | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record | Player | Season | < | --Record | Player | Season | No--> |
| Most points by a player: | Casper Steyn | 1999 | 361 | ||||
| Most Currie Cup points by a player: | Johan Heunis | 1989 | 268 | ||||
| Most tries by a player: | 1975 | 25 | |||||
| Most Currie Cup tries by a player: | Ettienne Botha | 18 | |||||
| Player Career Records | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record | Player | Seasons | < | --Record | Player | Seasons | No--> |
| Most appearances: | 1977–1989 | 184 | |||||
| Most points: | 1977–1992 | 2511 | |||||
| Most tries: | 1986–1994 | 85 | |||||
| Finalists | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Won the Super Rugby final 20–19 against the Sharks | 19 May 2007 | |
| 2009 | Won the Super Rugby final 61–17 against the Chiefs | 30 May 2009 | |
| 2010 | Won the Super Rugby final 25–17 against the Stormers | 29 May 2010 | |
| 2021 | Lost the Pro14 Rainbow Cup final 8–35 against Benetton | 19 June 2021 | |
| 2022 | Lost the United Rugby Championship final 13–18 against the Stormers | 18 June 2022 | |
| 2024 | Lost the United Rugby Championship final 16–21 against Glasgow | 22 June 2024 | |
| 2025 | Lost the United Rugby Championship final 7–32 against Leinster | 14 June 2025 | |
| Semi-finalists | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Lost Super Rugby semi-final 11–48 to Blues | 19 May 1996 | |
| 2005 | Lost Super Rugby semi-final 13–23 to Waratahs | 21 May 2005 | |
| 2006 | Lost Super Rugby semi-final 15–35 to Crusaders | 20 May 2006 | |
| 2013 | Lost Super Rugby semi-final 23–26 to Brumbies | 27 July 2013 | |
| Quarter-finalists | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Lost Super Rugby quarter-final 13–28 to Crusaders | 21 July 2012 | |
| 2019 | Lost Super Rugby quarter-final 28–35 to Hurricanes | 22 June 2019 | |
| 2023 | Lost United Rugby Championship quarter-final 33–21 to Stormers | 6 May 2023 | |
| 2024 | Lost European Rugby Champions Cup quarter-final 59–22 to Northampton Saints | 13 April 2024 | |
| 2025 | Lost EPCR Challenge Cup quarter-final 28–34 to Edinburgh | 12 April 2025 | |
| Major Honours in international competitions | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Competition | Span | Titles won | Runner-up | Semi-finalists | Quarter-finalists | Qualifying-finalists | Round of 16 < | -- Competition | Span | Titles won | Runner-up | Semi-finalists | Quarter-finalists | "Qualifying-finalists" | Round of 16 --> |
| Super 10 | 1993 | (0) | (0) | ' | |||||||||||
| Super Rugby | 1996-2020 | (0) | |||||||||||||
| Super Rugby Conference trophy | 2011-2019 | ||||||||||||||
| 2021-2025 | (0) | (0) | |||||||||||||
| United Rugby Championship SA Shield | 2021-2025 | ||||||||||||||
| Pro14 Rainbow Cup | 2021 | (0) | (1) 2021 | ||||||||||||
| Super Rugby Unlocked | 2020 | (0) | |||||||||||||
| 2022-2025 | (0) | (0) | (0) | (1) 2023–24 | (1) 2022–23 | ||||||||||
| EPCR Challenge Cup | 2025 | (0) | (0) | (0) | (0) | ||||||||||
| Major Honours in domestic competitions | |||||||||||||||
| Currie Cup | 1939-2025 | (25) 1946, 1956, 1968, 1969, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1987, 1988, 1991, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2009, 2020–21, 2021 (Title shared in 1971, 1979, 1989, 2006) | (9) | (10) | (1) | ||||||||||
| Currie Cup First Division | 2000 | (0) | (0) | ||||||||||||
| Lion Cup | 1983-1994 | (3) 1987, 1988, 1989 | |||||||||||||
| Vodacom Cup | 1998-2015 | (6) 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2009, 2011 | (4) 2005, 2012, 2014, 2015 | (2) 2000, 2013 | |||||||||||
| Rugby Challenge | 2017-2019 | (0) | (0) | (1) 2017 | (1) 2018 | ||||||||||
| Toyota Challenge | 2022 | (0) | (1) 2022 | (0) | |||||||||||
| Percy Frames Trophy | 1986-1994 | (1) 1994 | |||||||||||||
1 Northern Transvaal was renamed to the Blue Bulls.
2 Transvaal was renamed to the Golden Lions.
3 The Orange Free State have since been renamed to the Free State Cheetahs.
| Minor honours | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Competition | Number of titles | Runner-up< | -- Competition | Number of titles | Runner-up --> |
| Gauteng Rugby Cup | (1) 2013 | (0) | |||
| Sanlam Challenge Shield | (1) 2015 | (0) | |||
| Lafarge Zimbabwe Champions Cup | (0) | (1) 2016 | |||
| World Club 10s | (2) 2017, 2018 | (0) | |||
| Officeconomix Goodwill Challenge | (1) 2022 | (0) | |||
| IBG Challenge Cup | (1)2024 | (0) | |||
| Mapungubwe Rugby Cup | (1)2024 | (0) | |||
| Bulls season standings and results | ||||||||||||||||||
| Competition | Season | Playoffs | Season Result | Conference/Shield | Top points scorer | Points | Top try scorer | Tries | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EPCR Challenge Cup | ↓ 2024–25 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | Lost quarter-final 28-34 vs Edinburgh | Quarter-finalists | N/A | 15 | 3 | ||
| Heineken Cup | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2024–25 | 5th Pool 3 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 84 | 113 | -29 | 1 | 5 | Qualified to Challenge Cup | N/A | 15 | 3 | ||||
| 2023–24 | 2nd Pool A | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 132 | 102 | +30 | 3 | 15 | Lost quarter-final 22-59 vs Northampton Saints | Quarter-finalists | N/A | 41 | 3 | |||
| 2022–23 | 7th Pool A | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 102 | 139 | -37 | 2 | 10 | Lost Round of 16 9-33 vs Toulouse | Round of 16 | N/A | 16 | 2 | |||
| United Rugby Championship | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2024–25 | 2nd | 18 | 14 | 0 | 4 | 542 | 361 | +181 | 12 | 68 | Lost final 7–32 to Leinster. | Runners up (3) | 3rd | 71 | 8 | |||
| 2023–24 | 2nd | 18 | 13 | 0 | 5 | 639 | 433 | +206 | 14 | 66 | Lost final 16–21 to Glasgow. | Runners up (2) | Champions 1st | 167 | 12 | |||
| 2022–23 | 6th | 18 | 10 | 0 | 8 | 613 | 448 | +165 | 13 | 53 | Lost quarter-final 21–33 to Stormers | Quarter-finalists | Runners up (2) | 129 | 8 | |||
| 2021–22 | 4th | 18 | 11 | 0 | 7 | 518 | 388 | +130 | 14 | 58 | Lost final 13–18 to Stormers. | Runners up (1) | Runners up (1) | 153 | 11 | |||
| Pro14 Rainbow Cup | 2021 | 1st | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 183 | 117 | +66 | 5 | 25 | Lost final 35–8 to Benetton. | Runners up | N/A | 53 | 4 | ||
| Preparation Series | 2021 | 1st | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 181 | 115 | +66 | 3 | 15 | No trophy or playoffs | Top of pool A | N/A | 38 | 4 | ||
| Super Rugby Unlocked | 2020 | 1st | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 178 | 92 | +86 | 3 | 23 | No playoffs | Champions | N/A | 62 | 5 | ||
| Super Rugby | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 12th | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 115 | 152 | -37 | 1 | 6 | Season cancelled due to COVID-19 | 4th | 40 | 4 | ||||
| 2019 | 5th | 16 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 410 | 369 | +41 | 3 | 41 | Lost quarterfinals 35–28 to the Hurricanes. | Quarter-finalists | Runners up (4) | 194 | 5 | |||
| 2018 | 12th | 16 | 6 | 0 | 10 | 441 | 502 | -61 | 2 | 29 | 5th | 144 | 8 | |||||
| 2017 | 15th | 15 | 4 | 0 | 11 | 339 | 459 | -120 | 4 | 20 | 3rd | 80 | 5 | |||||
| 2016 | 9th | 15 | 9 | 1 | 5 | 399 | 339 | +60 | 4 | 42 | Runners up (3) | 109 | 6 | |||||
| 2015 | 9th | 16 | 7 | 0 | 9 | 397 | 388 | +9 | 10 | 38 | 3rd | 167 | 7 | |||||
| 2014 | 9th | 16 | 7 | 1 | 8 | 365 | 335 | +30 | 8 | 38 | Runners up (2) | 144 | 4 | |||||
| 2013 | 2nd | 16 | 12 | 0 | 4 | 448 | 330 | +118 | 7 | 63 | Lost semi-final 23–26 to the Brumbies. | Semi-Finalists | Champions 1st | 248 | 5 | |||
| 2012 | 5th | 16 | 10 | 0 | 6 | 472 | 369 | +103 | 11 | 59 | Lost qualifiers 28–13 to the Crusaders. | Qualifying-finalists | Runners up (1) | 228 | 10 | |||
| 2011 | 7th | 16 | 10 | 0 | 6 | 416 | 370 | +46 | 6 | 54 | 3rd | 216 | 9 | |||||
| Super 14 | 2010 | 1st | 13 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 436 | 345 | +91 | 7 | 47 | Defeated the Stormers 25–17 | Champions 3rd | N/A | 263 | 8 | ||
| 2009 | 1st | 13 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 338 | 271 | +67 | 6 | 46 | Defeated the Chiefs 61–17 | Champions 2nd | N/A | 191 | 8 | |||
| 2008 | 10th | 13 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 324 | 347 | −23 | 4 | 28 | N/A | 80 | 7 | |||||
| 2007 | 1st | 13 | 9 | 0 | 4 | 388 | 223 | +165 | 6 | 42 | Defeated the Sharks 19–20 | Champions 1st | N/A | 161 | 8 | |||
| 2006 | 4th | 13 | 7 | 1 | 5 | 355 | 290 | +65 | 8 | 38 | Lost semi-final 35–15 to Crusaders. | Semi-Finalists | N/A | 93 | 7 | |||
| Super 12 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2005 | 3rd | 11 | 7 | 0 | 4 | 301 | 229 | +72 | 6 | 34 | Lost semi-final 23–13 to Waratahs. | Semi-Finalists | N/A | 110 | 9 | |||
| 2004 | 6th | 11 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 302 | 320 | −18 | 6 | 28 | N/A | 101 | 5 | |||||
| 2003 | 6th | 11 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 320 | 354 | −34 | 5 | 30 | N/A | 139 | 5 | |||||
| 2002 | 12th | 11 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 232 | 500 | −268 | 1 | 1 | N/A | 29 | 5 | |||||
| 2001 | 12th | 11 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 241 | 378 | −137 | 3 | 11 | N/A | 97 | 4 | |||||
| 2000 | 11th | 11 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 231 | 395 | −164 | 3 | 11 | N/A | 123 | 3 | |||||
| 1999 | 12th | 11 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 203 | 447 | −244 | 3 | 7 | N/A | 59 | 2 | |||||
| 1998 | 11th | 11 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 249 | 306 | −57 | 4 | 16 | N/A | 65 | 5 | |||||
| 1997 | 8th | 11 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 264 | 342 | −78 | 4 | 22 | N/A | 50 | 4 | |||||
| 1996 | 4th | 11 | 8 | 0 | 3 | 329 | 208 | +121 | 6 | 38 | Lost semi-final 48–11 to Auckland Blues. | Semi-Finalists | N/A | 139 | 4 | |||
| Super 10 (amateur era) | 1995 | Did not qualify | N/A | |||||||||||||||
| 1994 | Did not qualify | N/A | ||||||||||||||||
| 1993 | 3rd | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 109 | 109 | 0 | 0 | 8 | N/A | |||||||
↑ After entering the Champions Cup/Heineken Cup competition from the EPCR Challenge Cup
↓ After dropping into the EPCR Challenge Cup competition from the Champions Cup/Heineken Cup
| Blue Bulls season by season standings in the Currie Cup Premier Division 1996-2021 (professional era) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Log | Top points scorer | Top try scorer | Tries | Pos | Team | Season | P | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TF | TA | TB | LB | Pts | Notes | Top points scorer | Points | Top try scorer--> | |||||||||||||||||
| 6th | 7 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 200 | 209 | −9 | 29 | 29 | 3 | 0 | 15 | Did not qualify for Play-offs. | Boeta Chamberlain | 45 | Jeandre Rudolph | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2nd | 10 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 384 | 266 | +118 | 54 | 37 | 7 | 1 | 38 | Semi-final was drawn 40 all after extra time. The Sharks advanced due to scoring more tries in the match 6–4. | Semi-Finalists | 81 | 7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 4th | 14 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 399 | 415 | -16 | 57 | 53 | 8 | 2 | 38 | Lost semi-final 10–39 to Cheetahs | Semi-Finalists | Johan Goosen | 49 | David Kriel | 7 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2nd | 12 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 398 | 306 | +92 | 56 | 42 | 9 | 0 | 47 | Lost semi-final 19–30 to Griquas | Semi-Finalists | Chris Smith | 54 | David Kriel | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | 1st | 12 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 334 | 260 | +74 | 46 | 30 | 8 | 1 | 49 | Beat the Sharks 44–10 in the Final | Champions 25th | Johan Goosen | 99 | Zak Burger, Cornal Hendricks | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020–21 | 1st | 12 | 8 | 1 | 3 | 305 | 216 | +89 | 32 | 22 | 3 | 2 | 39 | Beat the Sharks 26–19 in the Final. Each team started with the log points from the Super Rugby Unlocked competition. | Champions 24th | Morné Steyn | 62 | Marco van Staden | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 6th | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 143 | 191 | −48 | 20 | 25 | 2 | 0 | 10 | Did not qualify for Play-offs. | Manie Libbok | 46 | Rosko Specman | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 | 4th | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 170 | 179 | −9 | 24 | 25 | 4 | 1 | 17 | Lost semi-final 32–35 to Western Province | Semi-Finalists | Manie Libbok | 68 | Ruan Steenkamp | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017 | 4th | 12 | 5 | 0 | 7 | 457 | 442 | +15 | 63 | 62 | 9 | 3 | 32 | Lost semi-final 27–37 to Sharks | Semi-Finalists | Tony Jantjies | 70 | Warrick Gelant | 10 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | align=left | 7th | 14 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 459 | 376 | +83 | 65 | 45 | 8 | 2 | 38 | 2016 Currie Cup qualification round | 77 | 8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| align=left | 2nd | 8 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 310 | 207 | +103 | 40 | 26 | 5 | 1 | 30 | Lost final 16–36 to Free State Cheetahs | Runner-up | Tian Schoeman | 146 | Jamba Ulengo | 7 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2015 | 2nd | 10 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 342 | 238 | +104 | 41 | 26 | 7 | 0 | 39 | Lost semi-final 18–23 to Western Province | Semi-Finalists | Tian Schoeman | 135 | Jamba Ulengo | 11 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2014 | 4th | 10 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 271 | 235 | +36 | 27 | 23 | 3 | 1 | 28 | Lost semi-final 23–31 to Western Province | Semi-Finalists | Jacques-Louis Potgieter | 125 | Bjorn Basson, Sampie Mastriet, Deon Stegmann | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2013 | 5th | 10 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 225 | 253 | –28 | 24 | 28 | 2 | 1 | 17 | Did not qualify for Play-offs. | Handré Pollard | 62 | Francois Venter | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4th | 10 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 280 | 291 | −11 | 19 | 29 | 1 | 1 | 23 | Lost semi-final 3–20 to Sharks | Semi-Finalists | Louis Fouché | 137 | CJ Stander | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5th | 14 | 8 | 1 | 5 | 452 | 368 | +84 | 54 | 40 | 5 | 1 | 40 | Did not qualify for Play-offs. | Louis Fouché | 126 | Bjorn Basson | 10 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4th | 14 | 9 | 0 | 5 | 437 | 374 | +63 | 47 | 39 | 6 | 5 | 47 | Lost semi-final 12–16 to Sharks | Semi-Finalists | Jacques-Louis Potgieter | 171 | Stefan Watermeyer | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3rd | 14 | 9 | 0 | 5 | 475 | 299 | +176 | 56 | 28 | 6 | 4 | 46 | Beat Cheetahs 36–24 in the Final | Champions 23rd | 105 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2nd | 14 | 11 | 0 | 3 | 482 | 235 | +247 | 61 | 27 | 8 | 1 | 53 | Lost final 9–14 to Sharks | Runner-up | 192 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2007 | 4th | 14 | 8 | 0 | 6 | 424 | 282 | +142 | 54 | 33 | 6 | 1 | 39 | Lost semi-final 6–11 to Free State Cheetahs | Semi-Finalists | 114 | 14 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2nd | 14 | 10 | 0 | 4 | 479 | 284 | +195 | 63 | 32 | 8 | 2 | 50 | Drew 28–28 with Free State Cheetahs | Champions 22nd | 138 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2005 | align=left | Sect X | 3rd | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 261 | 141 | +120 | 38 | 18 | 4 | 1 | 21 | 2005 Currie Cup qualifying round | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| align=left | Sect X | 1st | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 347 | 115 | +232 | 46 | 12 | 5 | 0 | 37 | Lost final 25–29 to Free State Cheetahs | Runner-up | 118 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1st | 14 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 545 | 315 | +230 | 69 | 38 | 7 | 1 | 56 | Beat Free State Cheetahs 42–33 in the Final | Champions 21st | 188 | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2003 | 1st | 14 | 11 | 0 | 3 | 538 | 372 | +166 | 73 | 44 | 9 | 2 | 55 | Beat the Sharks 40–19 in the Final | Champions 20th | 133 | 9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2002 | align=left | Sect Y | 2nd | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 185 | 125 | +60 | 21 | 14 | 3 | 1 | 22 | 2002 Currie Cup qualifying round (Points of 3 matches vs the Currie Cup teams retained for Premier Div log) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| align=left | Premier Div | 4th | 7 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 225 | 136 | +89 | 21 | 13 | 2 | 1 | 25 | Beat the Lions 31–7 in the Final | Champions 19th | 151 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2001 | align=left | Sect Y | 3rd | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 231 | 148 | +83 | 30 | 13 | 3 | 1 | 20 | 2001 Currie Cup qualification | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| align=left | Top 8 | 7th | 7 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 191 | 187 | +4 | 11 | 14 | 2 | 2 | 12 | Did not qualify for Play-offs. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2000 | align=left | Sect Y | 6th | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 232 | 228 | +4 | 22 | 25 | 3 | 1 | 16 | 2000 Currie Cup qualification Did not qualify for Currie Cup Premier Div. (6 points carried forward to the Bankfin Cup.) | 149 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| align=left | Bankfin Cup | 2nd | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 205 | 178 | +27 | 25 | 20 | 4 | 2 | 18 | Beat the Mighty Elephants 41–20 in the Bankfin Cup Final | Champions 1st | 77 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1999 | 5th | 13 | 8 | 1 | 4 | 483 | 346 | +137 | - | - | 5 | 2 | 41 | Did not qualify for Play-offs. | 252 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1998 | 2nd | 13 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 461 | 231 | +230 | 65 | 28 | 7 | 2 | 49 | Beat Western Province 24–20 in the Final | Champions 18th | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1997 | 5th | 13 | 8 | 0 | 5 | 382 | 341 | +41 | 39 | 33 | 6 | 2 | 40 | Did not qualify for Play-offs. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1996 | Sect B | 1st | 12 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 707 | 207 | +500 | 93 | 23 | - | - | 22 | Lost semi-final 21–31 to Transvaal | Semi-Finalists | 13 |
Blue Bulls XV results for each season were as follows:
| Seasons | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Competition | Season | Section | Pos | Pl | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts | Play-offs | Top points scorer | Points | Top try scorer | Tries |
| SuperSport Rugby Challenge | ||||||||||||||||
| align=left | Northern Section | 3rd | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 332 | 190 | +142 | 25 | Did not qualify for Play-offs. | 44 | 6 | |||
| align=left | Northern Section | 3rd | 8 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 317 | 255 | +62 | 27 | Quarter-Finalists | 79 | 6 | |||
| align=left | Northern Section | 2nd | 8 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 376 | 240 | +136 | 29 | Semi-Finalists | 44 | 6 | |||
| 20161 | No competition | |||||||||||||||
| Vodacom Cup | ||||||||||||||||
| align=left | Northern Section | 2nd | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 282 | 114 | +168 | 29 | Semi-Finalists | 85 | 6 | |||
| align=left | Northern Section | 3rd | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 315 | 111 | +204 | 26 | Semi-Finalists | 60 | 7 | |||
| align=left | Northern Section | 2nd | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 435 | 159 | +276 | 28 | Quarter-Finalists | 79 | 9 | |||
| align=left | Northern Section | 3rd | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 212 | 116 | +96 | 21 | Semi-Finalists | 44 | 5 | |||
| align=left | Northern Section | 4th | 8 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 197 | 175 | +22 | 17 | Runners-up | 87 | 5 | |||
| align=left | Northern Section | 1st | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 251 | 136 | +63 | 32 | Champions 3rd | 90 | 5 | |||
| align=left | Northern Section | 1st | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 180 | 117 | +63 | 24 | Runners-up | 158 | 5 | |||
| align=left | Northern Section | 1st | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 279 | 161 | +118 | 28 | Champions 2nd | 115 | 14 | |||
| align=left | Northern Section | 2nd | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 184 | 104 | +80 | 23 | Runners-up | 112 | Dries Scholtz, Lukhanyo Nontshinga | 4 | ||
| align=left | Vodacom Cup | 3rd | 13 | 9 | 0 | 4 | 383 | 278 | +105 | 45 | Did not qualify for Play-offs. | 87 | 8 | |||
| align=left | Section X | 1st | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 255 | 184 | +71 | 28 | Semi-Finalists | 69 | 4 | |||
| align=left | Vodacom Cup | 3rd | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 231 | 186 | +45 | 22 | Runners-up | 44 | Carel Hoffman | 5 | ||
| align=left | Section Y | 1st | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 236 | 133 | +103 | 26 | Runners-up | 107 | 6 | |||
| 2002 | align=left | Section Y | 1st | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 260 | 157 | +103 | 26 | Runners-up | ||||
| align=left | Top Eight | 3rd | 7 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 242 | 240 | +2 | 21 | ||||||
| 2001 | align=left | Section Y | 1st | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 242 | 140 | +102 | 27 | Champions 1st | ||||
| align=left | Top Eight | 1st | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 150 | 117 | +33 | 34 | ||||||
| align=left | Northern Section | 3rd | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 265 | 187 | +78 | 23 | Quarter-Finalists | |||||
| align=left | Northern Section | 5th | 14 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 416 | 468 | –52 | 36 | Did not qualify for Play-offs. | |||||
| align=left | Sect B | 5th | 12 | 4 | 0 | 8 | 303 | 389 | –86 | 18 | Did not qualify for Play-offs. | |||||
| Bankfin Nite Series | Did not Participate | |||||||||||||||
| Did not Participate | ||||||||||||||||
Bankfin Nite Series seasons 1996 - 1997
Vodacom Cup seasons 1998 - 2015
SuperSport Rugby Challenge 2017 - 2019
