Willie le Roux receives high praises. Image: citizen.
With first-choice fly-half Johan Goosen sidelined due to a knee injury sustained in the Investec Champions Cup, the Bulls struggled to spark their attack in the early stages of the match. While Boeta Chamberlain added a try in the Champions Cup clash, he found it difficult to get the backline firing against the Lions. The Bulls trailed 14-13 when Le Roux replaced Chamberlain after 50 minutes, a move that proved to be a game-changer.
Le Roux, who started his career as a fly-half and has filled the role previously in Japan, brought a renewed spark to the Bulls’ attack. His performance in the final 30 minutes helped the team score three more tries, securing a 22-35 win in Johannesburg.
Burger, speaking on Supersport, praised Le Roux’s impact on the game. “The Bulls were a different animal once Willie came on,” Burger said. He highlighted Le Roux’s ability to flatten the attack and provide options for the forwards, which allowed players like Cobus Wiese and Marcell Coetzee to get involved more effectively.
Ndungane also praised the veteran back, noting the contrast between Le Roux’s performance and that of Chamberlain. “It’s a pity that the Bulls have to get a 15 and convert him to a fly-half,” Ndungane remarked, underscoring Le Roux’s value to the team. With Goosen expected to be out for 8 to 12 weeks, both Burger and Ndungane have backed Le Roux to step up and lead the Bulls’ attack in the coming weeks.
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