Bulls have a clear plan for Bloem

SPOTLIGHT: “It’s not how you start but how you end.”

That was the phrase used by Bulls prop Gerhard Steenekamp as they prepare for their Currie Cup semifinal match against the Cheetahs.

The Bulls head into the clash as the underdogs with not a lot of pundits backing them to secure a win in Bloemfontein given their recent history.

They went down 27-31 to the Cheetahs last weekend at Loftus Versfeld and in Round Three they suffered a 7-32 defeat in Bloemfontein.

However, it will be a big mistake to underestimate the Bulls’ side.

Jake White’s team managed to turn around their season in emphatic fashion – recording four consecutive wins that revived their campaign.

😮Paul Oosthuizen’s @BlueBullsRugby museum in Windhoek has more than 250 #Bulls jerseys on display💯#rugby #rugbyshow #rugbyunion pic.twitter.com/mVU2gIWRCe

— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) June 13, 2023

Speaking to reporters Bulls forward Gerhard Steenekamp said the team had a rough start.

“We got back up on the horse towards the end of the season,” The 27-year-old said, adding: “It is not how you start but it is how you end.”

The prop revealed that if the team want to continue their dream turnaround they need to improve on last weekend’s performance.

“Bloemfontein is always a special place to play rugby.

“As a team, we are looking forward to the opportunity and challenge. We know we need to make a big step up following last weekend’s defeat.”

#⃣WATCH as backline coach Hugo van As unpacks the @BlueBullsRugby‘s loss to the @CheetahsRugby at the weekend and their rematch in @TheCurrieCup #semifinal this coming #Saturday 🏆#Rugby 🏉#RugbyUnion🌏
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— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) June 13, 2023

Too slow

In the wake of the loss, Bulls backline coach Hugo van As pinpointed the breakdown as the big work-on for this weekend and Steenekamp echoed the coach’s sentiments.

He also said it’s an area the team are more than capable of fixing in a week.

“The main thing we’ve spoken about was getting to the breakdown really quickly,” he said.

“I don’t think the Cheetahs challenged us physically, we were just a little bit too slow.”

Steenekamp has backed his team to produce an upset against Cheetahs.

“I do feel we have a good chance at winning in Bloemfontein,” Steenekamp said.

“I think it’s probably about what team pitch up on the day and who wants it the most.

“They certainly have homeground advantage but if you want to win competitions you have to win away.”