“Hungry” Bulls are embracing their quarter-final match against the Stormers after ruthlessly taking Leinster apart with a 62-7 win.
It was a stunning performance from the Pretoria men, who ended a 17-game win streak for Leinster in the United Rugby Championship. Even though the Irish side did send a younger and weakened squad to South Africa the outcome will give the Bulls huge confidence.
The Bulls do not have to look far to find their last meeting with the Stormers in a knockout clash, as the sides contested the final of the URC last season.
North-south derby
The Capetonians came out on top on that occasion, but the Bulls are still confident. Assistant coach Chris Rossouw admits the team is grateful for less travelling even if it means facing the champions in Cape Town in a classic north-south derby.
“Cape Town is the easiest option with the travel,” Rossouw said. “And it would be nice to play the Stormers.
“The playoffs is a different animal but the guys are full of confidence and are hitting their straps. It’s nice to have momentum, a good vibe in the camp … which is the best position to be in heading into the playoffs.”
“Champagne rugby”
Rossouw praised the Bulls for how they approached the clash against Leinster and, in particular, how they managed possession.
“We all know Leinster enjoy playing with the ball in hand but a big contribution to that possession stat was our defence. A lot of our defence caused a lot of turnovers, which meant that we got possession again of the ball.
“And then when we had the ball we were very clinical in terms of carrying the ball and attacking the space, which either got us momentum, a try or penalty. It was almost like a vicious cycle for Leinster to turn things around for them.
“The last three years the Bulls have played a nice mix of mauls, pick-and-go and counter-attack and shape attack. I want to compliment the guys, they were hungry and actually squeezed Leinster into submission and forced errors which we converted into attack. So it was nice to play that champagne rugby.”
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