Gans Stedman setting the standard in Bulls' midfield as Jake White keeps the faith

Bulls director of rugby Jake White said Stedman Gans' form made it difficult to leave him out, a notion the outside centre corroborated with a brace of tries that helped sink the Sharks 44-10 at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday afternoon.

Gans was picked to play at 13 ahead of Canan Moodie, who moved to left wing for what was his first post-Rugby World Cup start, with the two combining well for Gans' first try from a scrum.

Gans has had to bide his time at the Bulls with the glut of midfield backs available to White, but he has made the most of his chances this season.

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White said giving guys like Gans as many opportunities as possible went a long way in stretching his depth as far as possible for what will be a long season.

"When Stedman is playing like he is, it's hard to leave him out," White said.

"Maybe that's what's so nice, because maybe he expected to be sitting out when Canan came back.

"One of the faults I had last year was not challenging the selection by trying different things, where I hung my hat on one group of players.

"I thought I could fight through the whole season with that one group, but I'd love to think that Stedman's relieved that he's playing so well and playing in that backline.

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"So long as he keeps on playing well, there's no reason for me not to select him."

An impressive aspect of the Bulls' demolition of the Sharks was how the forwards and backs linked together.

This was evident in Elrigh Louw's late try after the backs and forwards strung together phase after phase which didn't allow the Sharks the respite of a breakdown to regroup defensively.

White credited skills consultants Phiwe