VIDEO: The Bulls' surprise choice as their Euro 'home ground'
The Bulls will return to the venue of one of their greatest triumphs in recent seasons if they progress past the Champions Cup quarterfinals.
Director of Rugby Jake White revealed that the Bulls will play a possible semifinal at Ashton Gate.
The Bulls took a giant step closer to the European play-offs with an impressive 31-17 win over Bristol Bears in their Champions Cup Round Three face-off at the weekend.
White said his team now has their destiny in their own hands.
If they manage to get a win against Bordeaux-Bègles in their Round Four face-off at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, they are in with a great chance of a top-two finish in Pool One.
Second-placed Lyon travel to London to face a desperate Saracens in the final round of league action.
However, because South African teams are not allowed to host semifinals in the Republic, the Bulls have opted for Ashton Gate as their ‘home ground’.
(WATCH as Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White explains why they have chosen a venue in England to play a potential Champions Cup semifinal….)
“If we win [against Bordeaux] at Loftus, we get two home games in Pretoria [Round of 16 and quarterfinal if they progress], then the next game [semifinal] would be at Ashton Gate again.
“Maybe the stars have aligned.”
White explained that because South Africa is not a ‘shareholder’ of the EPCR or URC yet, SA teams have to play in Europe for the latter stages of the play-offs.
Asked why they opted for the multi-use stadium in Bristol, in the southwest of the city, just south of the River Avon, White said the capacity of the 27,000 all-seated venue played a role.
“We get half the gate [takings],” White said, adding: “It is a great stadium and has a nice feel.
“Chances of getting Bristol again in the competition would be highly unlikely.”
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