Bulls ‘refresh, recover and build team spirit’ before massive fixtures

While the Bulls know things will not be easy competing in playoffs and tough fixtures away from home, they are using their time in Europe now to rest and consolidate as they enter the business end of the season.

The Bulls won their Challenge Cup round of 16 match against Bayonne in France last weekend to secure a spot in the quarter-final against Edinburgh in Scotland this weekend.

They then play Munster in Ireland and Glasgow in Scotland over the following two weeks before a potential Challenge Cup semi-final, also in Europe. After that, they return home for their final two United Rugby Championship (URC) home fixtures against Cardiff and Dragons.

The week afterwards (23 May) sees the Challenge Cup final played in Wales.

‘Wonderful opportunity to refresh’

Bulls director of rugby Jake White told media they have planned carefully for their demanding schedule and will bring some more players over from Pretoria to supplement the side.

However, White said he didn’t want to bring anyone into the squad if they will not get game time. White hopes to rotate his side, as he has been doing all season, while ensuring success in both the URC and Challenge Cup.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity to refresh, recover and build team spirit,” the coach said as his team opted to remain in Bayonne to train before going to Scotland later in the week.

“The most important thing will be to recover now. The nice thing is we are basing ourselves here, we are not flying early to Edinburgh. That was always the plan.”

He said the last 16 match and the travelling had been physically demanding on his charges and they needed some time off.

“The bottom line is for our coaches to take as many positives as they can. It’s not going to get any easier now. Edinburgh, Munster, Glasgow, then semi-final if you’re still alive, then two games at home and then you might have to travel again for URC and EPCR finals away.”

Bulls reflect on ‘wonderful memory’ of victory in France

He said the Bulls should also appreciate the “wonderful memory” of beating Bayonne at home – the first side to do so this season.

“It’s a massive boost for us as the coaching staff and as a group that we can be away from home and get a result like that.”

While reluctant to single players out after a great team effort, White did stress that the man of the match performance from captain Marcell Coetzee playing in Number 8 instead of his usual openside flanker role was exactly what the Bulls needed in the EPCR knockout match.