URC crunch-time for Bulls, but vibe is positive, says Harold Vorster

It is make or break for the Bulls in the United Rugby Championship this weekend.

But, the good news is they are up against the weakest team in the competition as they look to keep alive their hopes of finishing in the top eight and featuring in the quarter-finals.

Jake White’s men need to beat Zebre Parma at Ellis Park on Saturday (it is a double-header featuring the Lions in their match against Leinster) to stay in the hunt to finish in the top eight, with just one round of matches remaining after this weekend.

Zebre and Leinster

The Bulls, after a poor run of form in recent months, are currently in seventh place with 43 points, and being chased by the Sharks (eighth, 41 points), Benetton (ninth, 40 points), Cardiff Rugby (10th, 39 points) and the Lions (11th, 38 points).

White’s team take on unbeaten log leaders and top Irish team, Leinster, in their final game at Loftus Versfeld next weekend, so a win at Ellis Park against lowly Zebre, who haven’t won a game all season in 16 matches is a must.

And centre Harold Vorster knows it is now crunch-time. “We’ve got two big games ahead of us,” said Vorster this week.

“And there are no easy games in the URC. Anyone can beat anyone on the day. Our job this weekend will be to do the basics well and follow the plan.”

‘Hard work paying off’

The Bulls though will have some momentum behind them having snapped a 10-game losing run in all competitions last weekend when a full-strength team beat Griquas in the Currie Cup.

But, the last time the Bulls won in the URC was on 6 January when they beat the Dragons 29-14 in Wales.

Since then they have lost to the Scarlets (away), Stormers (home), Lions (home) and Ulster (away). They also lost to Toulouse in the Champions Cup, away from home.

“There have been disappointments (this season),” said Vorster. “The losing streak wasn’t nice, but we stuck together and I believe things started to change against Ulster (25 March). We played well and didn’t get the result (23-32) and then also played well in the first half against Toulouse (9-33).

“We have now gained a lot of confidence from our win against Griquas last Friday (40-3). That win helped us a lot … it’s as if the hard work is now paying off.

“We’re looking forward to the two matches coming up. The vibe in the camp is more positive now.”

Vorster will return to his former “home” Ellis Park on Saturday, having played for a number of seasons for the Lions.

“I’ve got lots of good memories from my time at Ellis Park and hopefully I’ll make more good memories there this weekend,” said Vorster.