As the anticipation builds for today’s clash at Loftus Versfeld, Bulls coach Jake White finds himself reflecting on the journey of his side and the formidable opposition set to arrive in the second round of the Champions Cup.
It will be a pivotal match (3pm start) against Northampton Saints that is set to be a significant moment for their challenge in the Champions Cup.
A second loss in the competition against the Saints could see the Bulls miss out on the playoffs, with two more group-stage games in January.
However, instead of dwelling on last year’s defeat against the same opposition in the quarter-finals, White is embracing a forward-thinking mindset, focusing on performance rather than getting revenge.
“Loftus will give us a boost,” White said at his team announcement yesterday.
“Playing at Saracens with the wind howling, trying to get out of your half... those were the elements we had to compete with.
“That is the nice thing about the Champions Cup: one week you can play at minus-one degree Celcius, and the next week against another team where it is 35 degrees in the afternoon at daylight. That is why when you win this competition, you deserve it.”
White said that there are no talks of revenge within his side, but rather just the focus on themselves and what they have to do to be successful today.
A win could also provide some vital momentum for the Pretoria outfit ahead of some tough home derbies in the United Rugby Championship against the Sharks and Lions.
So, the Bulls are set on challenging their opponents without thinking of what happened in the past against them.
“They beat us last year, and they beat us fair and square. So, what happened last year is immaterial,” White added.
His insight reflects a shift in rugby culture, where the emphasis lies on improving and rising to challenges rather than dwelling on past grievances.
White is particularly keen to test how the Saints adapt to the highveld’s unique conditions. And the altitude has shown time and again how it can be a great leveller of the playground whenever the Bulls face tough opposition.
His confidence in their ability is tempered with curiosity.
“What I am looking forward to is to see if they can play their way at altitude with the heat and travel.
“If they can come to Loftus and run like they like to run, play like they want to play and can play, and beat us here, then you have got to say that they are a good team.”
The challenge posed by the Saints is not lost on White. He acknowledges their formidable line-up, boasting international backs alongside dangerous forwards who were part of their triumph against his squad last year.
“They carved us to pieces last year,” he admitted.
“But our progression in the tournament is not necessarily pinned on the results (of today), but every Saturday we see as a must-win.
“Even if you are playing a friendly or pre-season, that’s the club we represent,” he added, alluding to the unwavering standard that both he and his team aspire to uphold.
Loose forward Elrigh Louw will captain the side, and form a classy loose trio alongside Cameron Hanekom and Marcell Coetzee, with two other Boks in Marco van Staden (ankle) and Nizaam Carr (appendicitis) sidelined. Mpilo Gumede is also serving a suspension.
Springbok tighthead Wilco Louw will strengthen the scrum alongside fellow Boks Akker van der Merwe and Gerhard Steenekamp – while another Test front-ranker in Jan-Hendrik Wessels makes a welcome return from an ankle injury on the bench.
White opted to keep the same backline that did duty in the opening round of the tournament for today’s vital clash, which sees Willie le Roux at fullback and Canan Moodie at outside centre.
Bulls Team
15 Willie le Roux 14 Sebastian de Klerk 13 Canan Moodie 12 David Kriel 11 Devon Williams 10 Johan Goosen 9 Embrose Papier 8 Cameron Hanekom 7 Elrigh Louw (captain) 6 Marcell Coetzee 5 JF van Heerden 4 Ruan Vermaak 3 Wilco Louw 2 Akker van der Merwe 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Bench: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels 17 Alulutho Tshakweni 18 Francois Klopper 19 Deon Slabbert 20 Nama Xaba 21 Zak Burger 22 Boeta Chamberlain 23 Stedman Gans.