White expecting tough battle against familiar faces in Edinburgh team

Bulls director of rugby, Jake White, is anticipating a tough clash against Edinburgh when the teams meet in the United Rugby Championship at the Hive Stadium on Friday (kick-off 9.35 pm).

The match will see the Bulls conclude their four-week overseas tour, having won two of their three games on the road so far and they will be hoping to end their tour on a high note with another win. However, they will have to be at their best to walk away with a victory in the Scottish capital city.

The Bulls won the last encounter between the two teams, 33-31 at Loftus Versfeld, last season.

‘Massive experience’

With Edinburgh having South Africa-born Scottish internationals like Pierre Schoeman, WP Nel and Duhan van der Merwe, and Scotland captain Jamie Ritchie, in their ranks, White is expecting a tough arm wrestle.

“I have no doubt it’s going to be a tough game, they will give us whatever they have,” White said on Thursday.

“I’m expecting a very difficult game, with 13 internationals in their starting 15, they have a massive amount of experience, they have got Jamie Richie, the Scottish captain, coming back after the World Cup, and I’m sure he’ll be a massive boost for them as well.

“They are generally in the top eight every year; they are not a team that surprises everybody by finishing in the top part of the draw. So, it’s going to be a tough game.”

Sean Everitt

White will be up against one of his former assistant coaches at the Bulls and Sharks, Sean Everitt, who is now in charge of Edinburgh.

“Sean would know us, he knows what he needs to do to beat the Bulls,” said White.

“He’s a good coach, has been around for a while, and he did share some stuff when he was with us at the Bulls.

“I think he’s clever enough to understand he can’t go too far away from what Edinburgh want to do; Edinburgh and Scotland play a certain style.

“I’m sure he’ll bring one or two nuances to the team, but I’m sure he won’t move too far away from what has been successful for them in the past,” said the 2007 Rugby World Cup-winning coach.

Bulls: Devon Williams, Sebastian de Klerk, Stedman Gans, David Kriel, Sergeal Petersen, Johan Goosen, Embrose Papier, Cameron Hanekom, Elrigh Louw, Marcell Coetzee (co-capt), Ruan Nortje(co-capt), Ruan Vermark, Wilco Louw, Johan Grobbelaar, Gerhard Steenekamp. Bench: Simphiwe Matanzima, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Mornay Smith, Reinhardt Ludwig, Nizaam Carr, Cyle Brink, Keagan Johannes, Jaco van der Walt. Cyle Brink