Video: All about defence at Newlands
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Bulls will need a massive defensive display when they face the Stormers on Saturday.
That was the message from Bulls captain Handré Pollard ahead of the North-South derby at the iconic Newlands Stadium.
The last time the Bulls secured a win at Newlands was in 2011, while in 2015 the side came close but was denied by then Stormers’ No.8 Springbok Duane Vermeulen.
History might count against the three-time Super Rugby Champions. However, with their current form and with players like Vermeulen, Pollard, Jesse Kriel, Warrick Gelant and Trevor Nyakane in the squad they certainly stand a good chance to break their Newlands drought.
The Bulls already showed their superiority over the Stormers with that impressive 40-3 victory in the season-opener and since then have climbed to the top of the South African with noticeable away wins over local opponents Lions and Sharks.
In contrast, Stormers have slumped to the bottom of the SA conference and last week’s 17-19 defeat to Brumbies at Newlands certainly showed teams how to beat them at home.
One of the Brumbies’ tactics during that win was their impressive defence, a facet that has been one of the Bulls’ hallmarks for this season. The Pretoria franchise are ranked No.1 when it comes to tackle success rate (87.3).
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“Stormers got a way of how they play and they stick to it,” the captain Pollard told reporters.
“They’ve adjusted it as the season progressed, I think they played brilliantly against the Rebels on tour and last week [against the Brumbies] they had all the opportunities, possession and territory, they just didn’t convert. They will be frustrated after last week but will still have a lot of confidence.
“The Brumbies actually showed us it’s going to take a massive defensive effort to keep them out but we ready for that.”
READ: BULLS TEAM TO FACE STORMERS
The captain further explained: “When the Stormers and Bulls play each other, it doesn’t matter where they come from or past results, everything goes out the window.
“It’s a very big, emotional game and the side that executes the best is the side that will win.”
By Leezil Hendricks
@Leezil07
@rugby365com
