Jake goes with tried and tested for Grand Final
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Bulls will go into the United Rugby Championship Grand Final against the Stormers with an unchanged side from the team that defeated Leinster in the semi-final of the competition.
The two South African sides will meet at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday for the title-deciding inaugural URC final match.
The excitement in the build-up to the match has been palpable throughout the week, with excitement increasing as the historic occasion nears.
The Vodacom Bulls, who were sitting in 15th position on the log table at the start of the year managed a gradual, but crucial progression over the past few months which culminated in a massive victory over European giants, Leinster, in the semi-final in Dublin last weekend.
The Stormers, on the other hand, booked their spot in the final with a victory over another Irish side, Ulster, at home in Cape Town in the other semi-final.
These two results further added to the long-standing North versus South SA derby with both sides eager to stake their claim as the first-ever winners of the cross-hemisphere competition.
“It’s been an incredible season in our first one participating in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship. We have measured ourselves against some of the best sides and players in the world,” said Bulls director of rugby, Jake White, ahead of the game.
“So, to be able to play in the final is an incredible feat. I am very proud of the Vodacom Bulls players, coaches and staff for the hard work and role they played in getting this far.
“We are up against a deserving and strong Stormers side that has shown throughout the season how competitive and hungry for success they are. We expect another tough challenge against a team we have not managed to beat this season.”
A look at history from previous encounters between the two sides in this season’s campaign, the Stormers would be firm favourites considering that they had beaten the Bulls on both occasions the two sides squared up against each other.
A final is a different occasion and there is a lot more at stake. An epic battle is expected with both sides set to bring out their best in the most important fixture of the season.
Bulls’ influential captain, Marcell Coetzee, had this to say: “It’s not so much about revenge [for the two earlier defeats], but a final will be personal on both fronts and it’s always 50/50 on the day. We will approach the final with the humility and respect it deserves.
“Our job is not done yet, there’s still a lot for us to fix. Our plan worked to perfection but then we let Leinster back in the game at the end. But the Stormers were able to keep their composure towards the end of a tight contest.”
Bulls: 15 Canan Moodie, 14 David Kriel, 13 Cornal Hendricks, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Madosh Tambwe, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Izak Burger, 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Arno Botha, 6 Marcell Coetzee (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Walt Steenkamp, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Replacements: 16 Bismarck du Plessis, 17 Simphiwe Mantanzima, 18 Robert Hunt, 19 Janko Swanepoel, 20 WJ Steenkamp, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Morné Steyn, 23 Kurt-Lee Arendse.
Date: Saturday, June 18
Venue: Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
Kick-off: 19.30 (17.30 GMT)
Referee: Andy Brace (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Jaco Peyper (South Africa), AJ Jacobs (South Africa)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
