{
  "id": 17019500,
  "title": "Bulls show grit when the plan fails – Khutha Mchunu",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/29/bulls-show-grit-when-the-plan-fails-khutha-mchunu",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-29T06:06:39.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/sport/rugby/bulls-show-grit-when-plan-fails-khutha-mchunu/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Prop Khutha Mchunu expressed the Bulls' strong mental state ahead of their challenging match against Scarlets. He acknowledged that the team can rely on determination and grit when their initial plan fails. In a previous encounter, the Bulls led Ulster 21-0 but surrendered the lead in a tight game, ultimately winning 34-26. The Bulls will face the same Scarlets, who also fought back from a 19-point deficit to tie 40-all against the Stormers in Cape Town before falling 52-40.\n\nMchunu admitted the Bulls were not satisfied with their second-half performance against Ulster and conceded penalties. However, they managed to turn the game around and secure a victory. He attributed their strong finish under pressure to the team's ability to grind out wins even when the plan doesn't work. Mchunu, the 29-year-old Bulls tighthead, expressed his continued aspirations of playing for the Springboks, citing inspiration from fellow players Os du Randt and Tendai \"Beast\" Mtawarira. Despite injuries, Mchunu remembered replacing Mtawarira from the bench during his debut for Sharks at the age of 20.",
  "summary": "Though they let themselves down in their performance against Ulster, Mchunu said they will take confidence that they held on under pressure.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}