Stormers & Lions face Bulls backlash

Having lost two of the three matches on their just-completed Australian tour – to the Brumbies and Waratahs – the Bulls have slipped to 10th on the tournaments standings, outside the play-off spots.

They still have a realistic chance to get back into the driving seat in the Africa One conference, but then they can't afford anymore slip-ups in their remaining matches.

Bulls coach Nollis Marais – who bemoaned a lack of accuracy in their 8-31 loss to the Waratahs at the weekend – admitted the next two weeks are vital if they are to remain in touch with the pace-setters in the competition.

In fact this coming Saturday – when they host the Stormers in Pretoria – could be an early conference (Africa One) decider.

"We always knew it was going to be a tall order for us this year," Marais said, ahead of the big north-south derby.

"Twelve of our players are in their first Super Rugby season," he said, adding that their focus was on the new, more expansive, way we wanted to play.

However, with their ext two matches at home – where they have not lost this season.

"We are playing our arch enemy, the Stormers, this week," Marais said, adding: "We have to be better and pitch for that game."

He said they will have a look to see where they stand after the June break, but before then they have a couple of crucial games coming up.

"We play the Stormers and Lions at home in the next two rounds and if we want to have any chance of remaining in the play-off race we have to win those two matches."

It won't be easy, given that the Stormers trashed them 33-9 in Round One and the Lions have also shown good form – despite a few hiccups along the way.

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