Bulls v Scarlets - Teams and Prediction
ROUND SEVEN RESCHEDULED: The Bulls kick off the United Rugby Championship action this weekend with a thrilling encounter against the Scarlets on Friday at Loftus Versfeld.
The Pretoria franchise head into the rescheduled fixture full of confidence following their 29-24 win over the Munster.
The Bulls are 10th on the overall URC log and a win will see them move to the top half of the table.
While a bonus-point victory would see Jake White’s side take leadership of the South African Shield – albeit probably temporarily.
Kurt-Lee splits the defence open and Walt Steenkamp finishes this absolute peach of a try 💥🔥#TrueToTheBlue @Vodacom #URC pic.twitter.com/5nScjLnVD9
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) March 15, 2022
In contrast, Scarlets will arrive at Loftus Versfeld at a back of a 20-37 defeat to Sharks.
The Welsh side have claimed a solitary win from their last four starts and they have yet to taste victory on their travels this term in any competition.
Their last away success in the championship came against Edinburgh 13 months ago but they have only lost twice to South African opposition.
Despite the visitors’ current results, the Bulls are not underestimating the Welsh side.
“We have reviewed all their [Scarlets’] games,” Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White told reporters.
“They are good on attack, they really keep the ball and asked different questions.
“Defensively they cover the field well.”
White added: “They have a new coaching staff that has taken over and I think it has taken a while to hit their straps.
“However in the last few games, they have taken their game to another level.
“The one thing they do well is that they do not play much rugby in their own half and when they are in your half they create pressure by keeping the ball.
“Certainly it will be a tough task but I know my players are keen to play this game.”
Madosh Tambwe beat 13 defenders vs Munster. More than any player in a single rugby game in over 6 years 🔥
He tops the category for most defenders beaten this season with 42 💥@Vodacom #URC pic.twitter.com/64fxDYk9pt
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) March 16, 2022
Meanwhile, Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel, who joined the side at the start of the season, has warned his side of the Bulls’ physicality.
“They [Bulls] are obviously a quality side, a lot of internationals, a big physical pack,” Peel said.
“We talked last week that physicality is non-negotiable in South Africa, that is a starting point for us.
“We have to match that physicality and they have some fast backs who are clinical when they get opportunities.
“It is about matching that physicality, not kicking loosely and also being excited when we have the ball as well.
“We saw glimpses last week [against the Sharks] of some really good stuff when we have the ball, if we can finish a few of those off we will be happy.”
Prediction
@rugby365com: Bulls by seven points.
🤝 Huge thanks to Northwood School for the presentation and for use of their fantastic facilities during our stay in Durban. Onto Pretoria tomorrow
Diolch i Ysgol Northwood am adael i ni defnyddio’u cyfleusterau. Ymlaen i Pretoria yfory 🇿🇦#ScarletsinSA #URC #YmaOHyd pic.twitter.com/gJUhM2utBN
— Scarlets Rugby (@scarlets_rugby) March 15, 2022
Bulls: 15 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Cornal Hendricks, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Madosh Tambwe, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Zak Burger, 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Cyle Brink , 6 Marcell Coetzee (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Walt Steenkamp, 3 Jacques van Rooyen, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Replacements: 16 Joe van Zyl, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Robert Hunt, 19 Reinhardt Ludwig, 20 Arno Botha, 21 Keagan Johannes, 22 Morne Steyn, 23 Lionel Mapoe.
Scarlets: 15 Ioan Nicholas; 14 Steff Evans, 13 Johnny Williams, 12 Scott Williams (captain), 11 Ryan Conbeer; 10 Rhys Patchell, 9 Dane Blacker, 8 Blade Thomson, 7 Tomas Lezana, 6 Aaron Shingler, 5 Jac Price, 4 Sam Lousi, 3 Javan Sebastian, 2 Daf Hughes, 1 Kemsley Mathias.
Replacements: 16 Shaun Evans, 17 Rob Evans, 18 Harri O’Connor, 19 Morgan Jones, 20 Sione Kalamafoni, 21 Archie Hughes, 22 Sam Costelow, 23 Joe Roberts.
Date: Friday, March 18
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 19.10 (17.10 UK & Ireland, 17.10 GMT)
Referee: Chris Busby (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Cwengile Jadezweni, Griffon Colby (both South Africa)
TMO: Sam Grove-White (Scotland)
