Jake White doesn't need to splash the cash in his hunt for X-factor Bulls

Undeniably prompted by how the Stormers' potent backline outplayed his own, Bulls director of rugby Jake White stated after the URC quarter-final loss that an investment needs to be made in more players with proverbial X-factor at the franchise.

It's an interesting and also difficult admission for him to make because his charges ended the regular season as the highest point scorers (613) suggesting that when they do get it right, they're eye-catchingly effective.

"When I reflect on the URC, that’s the one thing I see we are probably lacking - a couple of X-factor guys. Maybe next season we will do a bit of recruiting, get those guys to open the game up a bit," White said.

"I guarantee that we will get it right, that we will work hard and by this time next year we will be a much better team from the lessons we learnt in this campaign."

Given perceptions that the Bulls are spendthrift, many would immediately pick up on the "bit of recruiting" part from White's comment.

The hierarchy already started the process a few months ago by luring Henry Immelman, who notably left South Africa at 21 to spend seven years overseas at Montpellier and Edinburgh, to Loftus while, Pumas star Sebastian de Klerk will be back too.

There have been negotiations, too, with Jaco van der Walt, the former Lions pivot who became a Scottish international after joining selfsame Edinburgh in 2017.

However, if White is going to place a premium on players able to take a tight game by the scruff of the neck, then it's arguable that he needs to spend his player budget on retention rather than recruitment.

With men like Kurt-Lee Arendse, Canan Moodie and Embrose Papier in your starting line-up, there is no lack of mercurial and rich attacking talent within your