They may be out of the running for the Champions Cup playoffs, but the Bulls are still viewing today’s clash against Stade Francais at Loftus Versfeld (3pm start) as a vital encounter that can benefit them in a number of ways.
The first goal for Jake White’s team would be to win by 22 points and prevent the French giants from claiming a bonus point for four tries, which would ensure their qualification for the Challenge Cup for the rest of the season.
But while the former Springbok coach was beating the Challenge Cup drum repeatedly during his team announcement press conference in Pretoria yesterday, what might be even more important for the Bulls is to end their four-match losing run.
Defeats to Saracens away, Northampton at home, Sharks away and Castres away have halted the Bulls’ momentum significantly, and they need to get up to speed before crucial away United Rugby Championship derbies against the Lions (January 25) and the Stormers (February 8).
They are hurting, as expected, and White again lashed out at the media yesterday for “writing about losing streaks... People who write that are people who want to see it – people who don’t want to see the Bulls do well. And that comes from a player”.
Well, the only way White and his team can change that narrative is by heading the scoreboard at the end of 80 minutes at Loftus this afternoon.
He certainly has the ammunition to do that when looking at the team he named yesterday.
While Willie le Roux is on leave and David Kriel injured – although they are expected to be back to face the Lions at Ellis Park next weekend – there is still a dangerous backline available, including Devon Williams, Stedman Gans, Johan Goosen and Embrose Papier.
The pack is loaded with powerful and dynamic figures such as Boks Cameron Hanekom, Elrigh Louw, Wilco Louw, Gerhard Steenekamp, Johan Grobbelaar and fit-again captain Ruan Nortjé, who should be able to provide front-foot ball.
“I can tell you that since Ruan’s returned, it’s just a completely different atmosphere, different urgency... He has definitely grown – and the most in the time I’ve been here,” White said.
“We left him at home last week to run the group that stayed behind, and he basically took charge of the group.
“So, it’s not just the things people see, but also the things people don’t see that makes him such a good leader and asset for the club.
“I’ve got no doubt that with his involvement tomorrow, we will be a lot more organised, a lot more accurate and a lot more switched on, due to the fact that he has such high standards.
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“It’s far from a dead rubber. There is still a lot to play for. One of the teams who won the Challenge Cup was nominated as Team of the Year.
“So, if we don’t put a premium on winning in the Champions Cup or Challenge Cup, then why are we applauding the Sharks for winning a competition that we say is a dead rubber?
“So, we’ve got lots to play for, and we want to stay alive in the Challenge Cup. There’s a lot to play for. It’s not just the momentum going into the URC, but it’s a good test for us.”
Bulls Team
15 Devon Williams 14 Sebastian de Klerk 13 Stedman Gans 12 Harold Vorster 11 Sergeal Petersen 10 Johan Goosen 9 Embrose Papier 8 Cameron Hanekom 7 Elrigh Louw (co-captain) 6 Marcell Coetzee 5 Ruan Nortjé (co-captain) 4 Ruan Vermaak 3 Wilco Louw 2 Johan Grobbelaar 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Bench: 16 Akker van der Merwe 17 Alulutho Tshakweni 18 Francois Klopper 19 Reinhardt Ludwig 20 Nizaam Carr 21 Zak Burger 22 Boeta Chamberlain 23 Canan Moodie.