Bulls pressure was difference – Schalk

Burger praised the Bulls for sticking to their game plan which forced the Stormers to yield to the pressure.

“They (the Bulls) had a certain game plan which created pressure and it was pretty hard to come back in the match,” said Burger. “They kicked 18 points from penalties.

“The atmosphere was great and the Orlando Stadium is a fantastic facility.

“We’re (the Stormers) are pretty disappointed with the outcome but we’re building a nice team here.

“We’ll take this experience into the Currie Cup and will look to improve every week.”

Stormers coach Allister Coetzee said his side made too many mistakes and that resulted in penalties against them which enabled the Bulls flyhalf Morne Steyn to convert six penalties in the match.

“The Bulls are a classy side and matches like these are won and lost at the breakdown, as we saw today,” said Coetzee.

“We can’t play catch-up for most of the game — that is not the way a team can win a match.”

The victorious Bulls captain Victor Matfield said after the match the 2010 season proved once again that it is the “toughest competition in the world”.

“To win this competition you’ve got to up for it 15 or 16 weeks on the trot.

“We’ve been blessed and we’ve not had many injuries this season.”

Bulls coach Frans Ludeke said the Bulls would look back on the 2010 season with some very special memories.

“This is a special competition and a team has to turn up every week.” said Ludeke. “The atmosphere was amazing and Soweto has climbed into our hearts.”