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'Bulls are a quality outfit': WP to tread lightly to Loftus

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Western Province are under no illusion of the mammoth challenge they face this Friday at Loftus Versfeld.

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WP travel to Pretoria to take on the Bulls with loads of confidence following their 44-28 bonus-point win over the Lions in the opening round of the Currie Cup season.

They produced an entertaining display at Ellis Park, scoring five tries with flyhalf Kade Wolhuter contributing 19 points with the boot.

The Bulls, on the other hand, opened their campaign with a devastating 15-63 defeat to the Puams at home. The defeat was Edgar Marutlulle’s first match in charge of the Bulls’ Currie Cup team and his side was outplayed in all areas.

Despite the favourite tag already handed to WP, kicking coach Gareth Wright warned his team not to underestimate a wounded Bulls side.

'Bulls are a quality outfit': WP to tread lightly to Loftus

Wright revealed he expects a much more improved Bulls side to take the field in the North-South derby.

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“The Bulls are always a tough side whether you play them at Cape Town Stadium or Loftus Versfeld,” Wright said.

“The Pumas played exceedingly well last weekend but we know the Bulls are a quality outfit, so I expect them to be up for the challenge.

“They have a number of players that play senior provincial rugby and a couple of players that have Springboks caps, so they will be hurting and we will have to prepare accordingly.”

‘A big game’

The kicking guru added that Province need to be focused on their own plan to avoid defeat against their arch-rivals.

“It does not take a lot to motivate the guys when it comes to a North-South Derby,” Wright admitted.

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“It is always going to be a big game and we expect a backlash from them [the Bulls].

“But we can only worry about our situation and how we perform.

“From our perspective, we have to concentrate on us as a collective and hopefully our plan comes to fruition on Friday.”

WP will announce their team to face the Bulls on Thursday.

@leezil07
@rugby365com

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