– Cape Town In order to reach the United Rugby Championship final last season, the Bulls had to overcome five losses in their first six games.
Beginning with Saturday’s game against the Lions at Ellis Park, they are determined to avoid a repeat of this result (4.05pm kickoff).
The Pretoria team was defeated by Irish powerhouses Leinster (31-3) and Connacht (34-7) before defeating Cardiff (29-19) in Wales.
However, this was followed by defeats against Edinburgh (17-10), the Sharks (30-16), and the Stormers (30-26), with five of these matches occurring on the road.
To qualify for the playoffs, Coach Jake White will need a much better start to this season in order to avoid another knockout conclusion to the league season.
The previous season’s turnaround began against the Lions, whom they thrashed 34-10 and 21-13 in successive weeks in late January and early February, and the Bulls went on to win seven of their next eight games to immediately reclaim contention.
“Everyone is thrilled for the inaugural URC game. This week, captain Marcell Coetzee stated from Loftus Versfeld, “After six weeks of preseason, everyone is eagerly anticipating the first game.”
It is the first game, therefore the team may be rusty and disorganized (as they had a five-week off-season break). The sooner we can get our footing from the start and implement our methods – as well as regain our composure – the better the game should flow.
“We hope to set the tone early in the tournament, and playing a strong team like the Lions will be difficult, but we welcome the challenge.
“Last year was our first time participating in the event, so there were many questions and concerns… I believe we can be proud of our conduct during the competition. However, this is a new competition and teams are now familiar with one another; international players traveling to South Africa know what to anticipate.
“Consequently, it depends on how quickly you can modify your structures and systems. We were dissatisfied with a couple aspects of our performance, notably in the final. However, we have time to ponder and make a few adjustments that will propel us to the next level.”
The Lions have lost several prominent players, including flank Vincent Tshituka, prop Carlu Sadie, and centres Burger Odendaal and Wandisile Simelane, who is currently at the Bulls.
However, the Johannesburg side will still be a formidable opponent, and their aggressive pack of forwards will make life difficult for the Bulls.
The 31-year-old Coetzee stated, “We are aware of the caliber of their loose forwards and the leadership of Jaco Kriel, and I am confident that they will attempt to assert themselves at the breakdown.”
“It is always a pleasure to play at Ellis Park. It is a fantastic site and location for rugby, and the Lions are a top team.
“The six-week preseason has afforded them the opportunity to adjust, and they have done so well. There is emerging talent of a high caliber, and the new recruits have swiftly established themselves and integrated into the team culture.
“I’m quite curious to see how they perform this weekend. It appears that they are enjoying themselves, and perhaps they can demonstrate this on the field.”
@AshfakMohamed