FIJI Water Flying Fijian utility backline and Bristol Bears winger Kalaveti Ravouvou scored two tries as the Bears thumped the Bulls 61–49 in their Investec Champions Cup clash, piling further pressure on Bulls coach John Ackermann.
The loss at Loftus Versfeld marked the Bulls’ seventh consecutive defeat, with Ackermann managing just three wins since taking over from Jake White.
It is a dramatic downturn for a side that reached the United Rugby Championship final last season, but now looks a shadow of that team.
Despite naming 10 Springboks in their starting XV, the Bulls were overwhelmed early as Bristol ran riot in the opening 10 minutes.
The Bears crossed for three quick tries through Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Max Lahiff and Noah Heward, stunning the home side.
Jeandre Rudolph briefly gave the Loftus crowd something to cheer about, but that momentum was short-lived as Ravouvou struck back almost immediately for the visitors.
Bristol went into halftime with a commanding 47–28 lead.
Rugby enthusiast Adrian Slabbert said he had seen enough, calling for Ackermann and several players to be replaced.
The Bulls late comeback did not help, as the Bears dominated the game throughout the 80 minutes.
In other results, Leicester defeated Bayonne 17-0, Pau edged Scarlets 26-17,Sale defeated Sharks 26-10, and Leinster edged La Rochelle 25-24.
