Bulls chasing points against Leinster ahead of URC playoffs

The Bulls are not concerned with the fact that Leinster will push a so-called B team onto the field in the United Rugby Championship (URC) clash at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

They are only interested in picking up as many points as possible to finish as high as they can on the table as the league phase of the URC concludes.

The Bulls are seventh (48 points) and a win this weekend could potentially move them higher up the standings.

‘Massive game’

“It’s a massive week and massive game for us,” rising star Ruan Vermaak said on Tuesday.

“We want to get as many points as possible and that’s our only concern. We can only worry about what we do.

“There are other teams playing and a lot will depend on who wins and who loses … but our preparation has gone well and our aim is to perform to the best of our ability.”

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Leinster are the runaway leaders and are unbeaten this season, and they go into the game on the back of a stunning come-from-behind 39-36 win against the Lions. And that with a team missing several first-choice players.

Vermaak said it didn’t matter who the Irish giants sent into action.

“We’re not worried about who we’re going to be playing against … this is Leinster, the best side in the URC,” said the lock.

“They’re a very good team, no matter which side they send into action.”

Important points

A win for the Bulls could see them move into sixth place, with Connacht slipping to seventh, but a defeat and a win by the Sharks (against Munster) could see Jake White’s men finish eighth and possibly have to travel to Dublin for a quarter-final with the same Leinster.

A seventh-place finish could see White’s men face the Stormers in a last-eight match in Cape Town.

“I don’t have a preference … what must be will be,” said Vermaak. “We know the situation and don’t need to look at the points table. We just have to go out there and give it our best, and take it as it comes.”

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The good news for the Bulls is they will go into the Leinster game on the back of a good showing against Zebre, who they walloped 78-12 last weekend to end a poor run of form in the URC. Vermaak said this was important.

“Coach Jake (White) said during the tournament that it would be key to make sure we play our best rugby at the right time and when the playoffs come,” he said.

“The last two weeks have been good for us and hopefully we can take that momentum into this game and into the last four matches (including the knockouts).”

Saturday’s game kicks off at 4pm. In the earlier game, at 1pm, the Lions take on Zebre.