VIDEO: Gert Smal explains why Bulls loaded team for Kimberley trip
Any thoughts of Griquas starting as favourites in Kimberley went out the window on Friday, when Bulls coach Gert Smal named a fully-loaded team for the Round Five Currie Cup outing.
Smal leaned heavily on the franchise’s United Rugby Championship resources, the Tshwane-based side using a number of players who featured in last weekend’s URC win over Zebre in Parma, Italy.
The team will be captained by veteran loose Marcell Coetzee and includes other Springboks like Cornal Hendricks, Embrose Papier, Arno Botha, Bismarck du Plessis, Lizo Gqoboka and Lionel Mapoe.
Smal reiterated the previously stated fact that they are placing a premium on winning a rare hat-trick of Currie Cup titles.
He said he has been to Kimberley often enough to know you never underestimate Griquas on their home ground.
However, the main ‘reason’ is that the Bulls’ Currie Cup team has not played since their 25-38 Round Three loss to the Cheetahs at Loftus Versfeld on February 2.
Smal said winning in Kimberley is vital, especially after the loss to the Cheetahs.
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“To get a bit of rhythm, it was important that we get a team together that has played together recently,” Smal told a virtual media briefing.
He described Griquas as the ‘giant killers’ of the Currie Cup and said it is “important” that they are prepared for whatever the men from Kimberley will throw at them.
Smal listed mauling as one of the key threats the home team will bring.
“Barend Pieterse is an astute and experienced coach,” he said of the one-time Springbok, who had stints with the Southern Kings and Eagles in Japan, before arriving in Kimberley.
Smal also listed “contestables” – like the breakdowns – and their mindset as areas where Griquas could challenge them.
The Bulls Currie Cup coach said there’s still no plan to split the squad into Currie Cup and URC groups and will continue to dip into the wider squad as the need arises.
“We will look at each game and select the team we think is best for that specific game,” Smal said.
“We take the Currie Cup serious and [must] make sure we have a team that can win the Currie Cup,” he added.
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