Vodacom Bulls captain Ruan Nortje has backed Willie le Roux after criticism of the veteran playmaker’s late cross-field kick against the Stormers.
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – JANUARY 03: Willie le Roux of Vodacom Bulls during the United Rugby Championship match between DHL Stormers and Vodacom Bulls at DHL Stadium on January 03, 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images)
While many blamed Le Roux for kicking away a chance at a win or at the very least a draw in Cape Town, Nortje made it clear there would be no finger-pointing from within the camp.
“There’s no certain way we do things in that position. I think, for us, our drivers have to take control there and we back each player. If Willie thought it was on, we back him all the way and we still back him all the way.”
The Bulls skipper believes the fine margins of elite rugby often decide narratives, and that one bounce could easily have rewritten the story.
If that ball bounced right and we score under the poles, it would have been ‘Willie is the most amazing player’. At the end of the day, it’s just about the bounce of the ball. We will always back the decisions players make.”
Attention now shifts to Saturday’s showdown against a high-flying Bristol Bears side at Loftus Versfeld, where Nortje believes a single result could spark a turnaround
If that ball bounced right and we score under the poles, it would have been ‘Willie is the most amazing player’. At the end of the day, it’s just about the bounce of the ball. We will always back the decisions players make.”
Attention now shifts to Saturday’s showdown against a high-flying Bristol Bears side at Loftus Versfeld, where Nortje believes a single result could spark a turnaround.
We are definitely climbing the ladder, we are really excited for the weekend,” Nortje said. “There’s nothing like winning, a win can change anything overnight. We just have to get over that hurdle.”
