Bulls bracing for tough task against Bristol Bears

With the Bulls resuming their Champions Cup commitments this weekend, loose forward Mpilo Gumede says they are prepared for a tough battle against Bristol Bears as they look to return to winning ways.

The Bulls face the English side on Saturday at Ashton Gate, with kick-off set for 5.15pm SA time.

The game is crucial for both sides’ aspirations of making it through to the knockout stages of the European Cup. Jake White’s team are in third place in Pool 1 with five points, while Bristol are fifth with the same points.

The Pretoria-based side go into the game with form not on their side as they have suffered back-to-back losses against Lyon in the Champions Cup and the Stormers in the United Rugby Championship.

‘In a good space’

Looking ahead to their upcoming fixture, Gumede said the losses they experienced before their festive season break have been a learning curve for them.

“We understand and know where we are now,” said Gumede.

“We have learned from the games we lost, so we are in a good space. We understand what we need to do.

“We need to play our own game and not put pressure on ourselves because of the two losses. We just need to build momentum from here,” he said.

Weather conditions

Bristol, on the other hand, go into the match on the back of a 22-14 win away at Sale Sharks in the Premiership. Gumede said they have prepared for what Bristol will bring on Saturday.

“They are a big club … big team,” he said.

“The weather is going to be against us and the fans as well, so we know what’s coming. We know the physicality part is coming, we know they also like to play with the ball from their own 22.”

The weather conditions will be an important factor on Saturday. The conditions are expected to be cold and cloudy, but Gumede says this shouldn’t change how the Bulls go about their business.

“Our game plan doesn’t change a lot. The game plan we have allows us to adapt to any weather. I don’t think that will be much of a smash for us.”