One of the Bulls’ most memorable and emphatic performances in their Super 14 history was last year’s 92-3 demolition of the Reds at Loftus Versfeld in the final round of league competition.
The Reds, who finished last in 2007, will be hard pressed to shut out the memory of that defeat when the two teams meet in Brisbane on Saturday (11h05 SA time).
Yet, the Super 14 records show that the Bulls have won only once on their previous five visits to the Queensland capital ‘ a 23-17 win in 2004.
In 2006, a year in which the Bulls also reached the last four, they went down 20-19 and in earlier seasons, when the Bulls were not quite the force they have become, they suffered defeats in 2002 (48-12), 2000 (34-15) and 1998 (28-15).
Whilst history may give perspective, present form is a better indicator of a possible outcome.
Previous 10 meetings in Super Rugby – Reds vs Bulls
Reds have won 6 Bulls have won 4
2006 – Reds 20 Bulls 19 in Brisbane
2005 – Reds 7 Bulls 32 in Pretoria
2004 – Reds 17 Bulls 23 in Brisbane
2003 – Reds 19 Bulls 39 in Pretoria
2002 – Reds 48 Bulls 12 in Brisbane
2001 – Reds 29 Bulls 19 in Pretoria
2000 – Reds 34 Bulls 15 in Brisbane
1999 – Reds 17 Bulls 7 in Pretoria
1998 – Reds 28 Bulls 15 in Brisbane