The Bulls were left clinging on for victory as they survived a Lyon fightback to begin their maiden Heineken Champions Cup campaign with a thrilling 42-36 win in Pretoria.
Bulls director of rugby Jake White has compared playing in the Champions Cup to Test rugby ahead of his team's debut in the club competition against Lyon in Pretoria on Saturday.
Bulls coach Jake White has been giving his players a crash course in the Heineken Champions Cup as his United Rugby Championship high-fliers prepare for their European debut.
Bulls and Springbok winger Sbu Nkosi has admitted his recent disappearing act was due to mental health struggles, as the pressures of life and rugby were getting to be "too much".
The Bulls have announced they have appointed 24-year-old Ruan Nortje as their new captain.
There should be high levels of discomfort and an element of desperation in several teams when the next phase of the United Rugby Championship gets underway this weekend.